For veteran point guard Mark Barroca, Game Two of the 2018 Philippine Cup Finals Sunday night made him and the Magnolia Hotshots realize one thing: playing against the San Miguel Beermen is like picking your poison.
Barroca bared that their point of emphasis on defense for Game Two was limiting the Beermen’s behemoth June Mar Fajardo, as he — despite committing 11 turnovers — unloaded monster numbers of 31 points and 18 rebounds.
The Hotshots have succeeded in restraining the four-time Most Valuable Player as he only had 12 markers and 13 boards. However, Fajardo’s teammates — such as Arwind Santos, Marcio Lassiter, and Alex Cabagnot — stepped up big time.
What’s more is that the Beermen won, 92-77, to even the series at 1-1.
“Sobra kaming nag-aral kay June Mar masyado kasi ang ganda ng laro nya nung first game, pero ngayon outside nila sobrang daming nakapag-shoot,” lamented the seven-year pro after the match at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Barroca and the Hotshots actually had a clear chance of upending the Beermen yet again, just like what they did in Game One. But their climb back from 21 points down got halted by San Miguel this time with a 10-0 run inside the final 6:58.
It had definitely been a disappointing night for Magnolia, but for Barroca, their fourth quarter comeback alone can be considered a positive takeaway.
“Positive lang, nakabalik kami. Yun lang kasi ‘di kami nag-quit. Yun lang naman pinanghahawakan namin, na hindi kami nagqu-quit kahit ano man ang mangyari,” said the 31-year-old, who led the Hotshots in Game Two with 18 points.
“Matambakan man kami o lumamang kami o grinding game, di kami magqu-quit.”
