The last time Mark Barroca and Ian Sangalang played in a title series together was in the 2014 Governor’s Cup when the franchise was known San Mig Coffee Mixers. Barroca was still in his third year back then, while Sangalang was just a rookie.
The duo were able to win the championship to cap their impressive Grand Slam campaign.
But after that, when the Mixers had been renamed to Star Hotshots, tough times had come along, and they had failed to return to the Big Dance.
The Hotshots actually had chances to end the spell last season, but to no avail, as the farthest they had reached in each conference had been just the semifinals.
Which is why Barroca and Sangalang could not help but turn emotional Tuesday night, as four years of suffering has ended.
They made it to the 2018 Philippine Cup Finals.
It all became possible as the Hotshots survived a depleted yet gritty NLEX Road Warriors in Game Six of the semifinals, 96-89, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum — the very same venue where they had achieved the Grand Slam.
“Naiyak nga ako kanina e,” admitted Barroca, who had 14 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. “Pagka-buzzer, hawak ko yung bola. Sobrang pasalamat ako nakabalik kami sa Finals, almost four years narin kaming hindi nakapasok.
“So masaya kami ngayon nakapasok kami.”
“Sobrang sarap kasi ang tagal naman ‘di nakabalik ng Finals. Sobrang tagal namin nangarap na makapaglaro ulit sa Finals,” reflected Sangalang, who added 15 points and 11 rebounds.
“Now eto na, nandito na kami ngayon. ‘Di ko mae-xpress kung gaano ka kasaya.”
Four years ago, the Mixers have always been the favored side whenever they go into any series. This time around, they’re now the underdogs, as they will face the reigning Philippine Cup champions San Miguel Beermen in the title match.
And for Barroca, he hopes that he and the Hotshots will be able to give the Beermen the toughest of challenges.
“Sana, hindi lang itong Finals lang, ‘di pa naman tapos ang misyon,” wished Barroca, a five-time champion and the 2014 Philippine Cup Finals Most Valuable Player.
“Ibibigay namin best namin sa Finals.”
