Mark Barroca was nothing short of impressive for Magnolia in Game Three of the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup Finals.
The eight-year veteran had been a major key for the Hotshots. He has helped his side reign victorious over the defending four-time champions San Miguel Beermen, 86-82, en route to a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven series, Sunday night.
Barroca finished with a game-high 22 points, including 10 in the third quarter, where Magnolia led by 11. He shot 60-percent from the field, and also filled up the stat sheet with three rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block.
“Maganda laro ni Mark,” lauded Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero.
His outing on Sunday is indicative that Barroca has now put his ankle injury behind him. He sustained the injury back in the series opener last Wednesday after San Miguel forward Arwind Santos accidentally landed on it.
“Yung paa ko naman, nakuha ko na yung range,” said the 33-year-old. “Maganda na yung napakita ng ankle ko. Last game parang masakit pag papunta ng kaliwa eh, ‘di ko matulak.
“Ngayon, nakakatakbo na ako ng maayos.”
But even there are positives, Barroca isn’t pleased with the way they handled the endgame.
The Hotshots were already ahead by nine, 79-70, with 2:44 remaining in the final frame. But the Beermen rallied and knocked to within just three, 79-82, after an Alex Cabagnot three-pointer with exactly 17 seconds left to play.
Then came Barroca to save the night for Magnolia, coolly sinking his free throws with 14.6 seconds to go. He also stole the ball away from Marcio Lassiter, leading to another pair of freebies with 9.3 ticks left that sealed the deal.
With what had transpired, Barroca hopes that they will learn from it come Game Four on Wednesday, May 8.
“Nainis nga kami nung huli eh, kasi up by nine akala namin panalo na kami,” said Barroca. “Pero champion team ‘yan eh, yung mistake ngayon dapat matutunan na for next game, ‘di ka dapat ma-kampante hanggang ‘di pa nag-buzzer.
“Grabe ‘tong team na ‘to eh, may chance pa rin talaga sila. Kami dapat next game, kung wala pang buzzer, dapat ‘yung depensa namin nandun.”
