Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
2018 pba philippine cup finals game 2 – san miguel def magnolia – mark barroca
2018 pba philippine cup finals game 2 – san miguel def magnolia – mark barroca

Basketball

Game 2 was a pick your poison tilt for Hotshots, says Mark Barroca


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.”

#ReadMore  Phoenix holds off Alaska; Rain or Shine rallies past NLEX in pocket tourney
Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.




You May Also Like

Basketball

Rain or Shine dealt Magnolia its first loss of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup following a 119-105 statement win at the Ynares Center...

Basketball

Paul Lee went on a heater run in the fourth quarter to help Magnolia finish strong against Meralco, 117-92, and stretch their unbeaten run...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – Magnolia bled Terrafirma dry in the second quarter before leaving its counterparts ripped into shreds, 127-94, to remain unscathed in the PBA...

Basketball

Magnolia kept its hold of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup leadership firmly following a 118-99 victory over Phoenix in Zamboanga City, Saturday. The...

Basketball

Mark Barroca delivering in the clutch on Wednesday was proof that Magnolia’s shift in its approach for the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup is...

Basketball

Mark Barroca came through in the clutch just like the old times as Magnolia frustrated San Miguel in overtime, 98-95, to capture the solo...

Basketball

Russel Escoto is embracing a bigger role he’s been entrusted with as Magnolia pushes for a deeper run in the newly-opened PBA Season 49...

Basketball

Magnolia pulled away late to beat a hard-fighting Converge, 83-71, to chalk up their second win in as many outings in the PBA Season...

Advertisement