Mark Barroca doesn’t mind coming off the bench while giving way to the younger ones, as it’s been working wonders thus far for Magnolia.
In fact, the 39-year-old floor general is embracing it, since he believes it will benefit veterans like him later on in the conference.
“Malaking bagay sa amin ‘yun, [sa] mileage namin dito sa paglalaro namin. Para kung darating man kami sa playoffs, mas fresh kami,” he told reporters moments after their 127-119 victory over Titan Ultra on Friday evening.
That win against the Giant Risers — which sent the crew atop the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup standings with a clean 2-0 card — was proof of how helpful such an adjustment could be, given his performance.
Barroca was part of the second unit for the second time in as many games, and being fresh enough for the final push enabled the 14-year pro to be effective in helping Magnolia seize control for good early in the fourth quarter.
He scored seven in their telling 13-0 rally to expand a narrow four-point lead to 17 points, 105-88, with less than eight minutes remaining, never to let up.
The two-time PBA Press Corps Finals MVP would go on to finish with 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the floor alongside four rebounds and seven assists.
(C) PBA Images
“‘Yun naman yung pinag-usapan namin ni Coach LA. Kasi alam naman namin na may plano sa amin si Coach, especially sa aming nagkaka-edad,” he said.
It wasn’t just Barroca who played well against the Giant Risers. Five more finished in double figures, with Ian Sangalang and the seldom-used Russel Escoto adding more bench support with 21 and 16, respectively.
The other three were starters. Zav Lucero finished with a remarkable double-double of 23 points and 17 rebounds, while Javi Gomez de Liano and guard Jerom Lastimosa came through with 14 and 13 points.
Such a commendable outing by members of the first group was a big thanks as well to the encouragement provided by their seniors like Barroca.
“Lagi namin ine-encourage ‘yung first group na kailangan maging consistent sa every game na ibibigay nila, para ‘di kami ma-extend ng minutes na lalaruin namin. Kasi ngayon, balanced na,” the six-time league champion said.
“Sina Jerom, kailangan nila ‘yan eh. Going to the playoffs, merong mga games na ganyan, so mas kumpiyansa sila. Alam natin ‘pag ginamit ang isang player, lalabas at lalabas yung laro. ‘Yun ‘yung mindset namin na binibigay namin.”
It will be a quick turnaround for Magnolia as it returns to action this Sunday against Meralco at the Ynares Center II in Montalban. But Barroca and the rest are coming in fresh, thanks to the coaches’ simple tweak.
Needless to say, he’s liking how balanced everything has been thus far since the former star-turned-mentor took over the franchise’s coaching reins.
“May game na naman kami sa Sunday, may game ngayon. Mileage yun eh, pagod ‘yun. At least ngayon, ‘di kami gaanong bugbog,” Barroca said.
“Maganda para sa team ‘yun. Kasi ngayon parang balanced minuto namin, balanced scoring, lahat. Maganda tinatakbo ng team. Excited kami lahat.”
#WATCH: “PARANG ALL-STAR.”
Mark Barroca wasn’t pleased with Magnolia’s defense despite the win over Titan Ultra — saying it looked more like an All-Star game than a grind-it-out battle 🏀
📹 Justine Bacnis/Tiebreaker Times#PBA50 pic.twitter.com/JHMw9Vem5A
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) October 17, 2025
