Mark Barroca spearheaded the fourth-quarter pullaway as Magnolia took down an incomplete Titan Ultra, 127-119, to post back-to-back victories in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup, Friday evening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The 39-year-old playmaker finished with 16 points, seven of which he scored to lead the decisive 13-0 run that turned a narrow four-point edge into a 105-88 lead with 7:30 remaining that put the Hotshots in control the rest of the way.
Barroca shot 7-of-9 from the floor and also collected four rebounds and seven assists off the bench to help Magnolia gain the early lead in the standings.
“Vets are vets,” said Coach LA Tenorio. “Whether they play five minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, even five minutes, I know they will deliver.”
“That’s a good thing for us that the vets are showing sa team namin, showing the young players that even though they’re not starters, they’re playing their hearts out. It’s a good sign for our team, sa chemistry namin,” he added.
(C) PBA Images
Zavier Lucero top-scored in the triumph with 23 points alongside 17 rebounds in a remarkable double-double for the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.
Ian Sangalang, like Barroca, came off the bench as well and tallied 21 points — a role which he and the former starters are becoming comfortable with in one of the team’s adjustments under head coach LA Tenorio.
Both Sangalang and Lucero were also crucial in the aforementioned rally that put the game away. Then the others — like Javi Gomez De Liano and Russel Escoto — helped apply the finishing touches to secure the win.
Escoto went a perfect 7-for-7 from the floor and wound up with 16 points, which he laced with three rebounds and a steal–all in just 10 minutes of play.
Gomez de Liano supplied 14 points on a 3-of-5 clip from beyond the first arc while Jerom Lastimosa chipped in 13 points, four rebounds, and six assists.
“Moving forward, it will help us, na it doesn’t matter kung vets, it doesn’t matter kung younger player, you will have your opportunity. Yun ang gusto kong iparating sa mga players namin dito sa Magnolia,” Tenorio said.
(C) PBA Images
Joshua Munzon, on the other hand, led the Titan Ultra offense once more with 28 points as they played without Calvin Abueva due to a hamstring issue.
But unlike against Converge, in which the ‘Beast’ got hurt, the Season 49 Most Improved Player received some help this time. Ato Ular, for one, had 17 points and six rebounds off the bench in likely his best showing in a long while.
Jerrick Balanza made 14 points. Von Pessumal fired 13 points, including a pair of fours, while Chris Koon and Damie Cuntapay added 12 and 10, respectively.
Unfortunately, the balanced attack wasn’t enough to stun Magnolia as the Giant Risers lost their second straight and fell to 1-2.
The Scores:
Magnolia 127 – Lucero 23, Sangalang 21, Barroca 16, Escoto 16, De Liano 14, Lastimosa 13, Dela Rosa 9, Alfaro 7, Laput 4, Verano 2, Dionisio 2, Lee 0, Eriobu 0, Taha 0, Gomez 0.
Titan Ultra 119 – Munzon 28, Ular 17, Balanza 14, Pessumal 13, Koon 12, Cuntapay 10, Sumang 9, Yu 6, Ambohot 6, Flores 4, Martinez 0, Melecio 0,
Quarterscores: 27-22; 58-56; 92-88; 127-119.
