Mark Barroca never expected that he would be called up to serve flag and country again after so long.
But here he is again, as the two-time PBA Finals MVP is part of Gilas Pilipinas’ training pool for the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers’ sixth window in February.
This marks Barroca’s first time to join the Nationals in seven years, or since he was part of the pioneering Gilas squad that saw action in the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship in Wuhan, China, where the Filipinos finished fourth.
“‘Di na rin ako nage-expect na makuha dito pero kinuha nila ako. Siyempre sobrang saya ko rin, sobrang tine-treasure ko yung pagkakuha nila dito sa akin. Alam mo yun, Na-pump up ako eh, na kinuha nila ako,” admitted the 32-year-old.
“Sobrang excited first day pa lang na sinabi nila na may ensayo kaagad ito ngang [January] twenty-one, punta kaagad ako.”
Seven years is a long time, and much has changed in the program. Barroca knows this, but has no problems playing alongside different faces in his Gilas return.
“Excited ako makalaro yung mga bagong teammates ko.
“Nakakasama ko [naman] tong mga ‘to ‘pag mga All-Star, yung mga ganun. Kasi yung All-Star iba naman yun. Ito national team kasi iba yung labanan dito eh, international. Yung pride ilalaban mo dito,” Barroca added.
His return comes with pressure, however. Barroca and the rest of the flagbearers are expected to sweep Qatar and Kazakhstan in the sixth window, to give the Philippines a better chance of making it into the World Cup in August.
But as daunting as their task is, the six-time PBA champion embraces the challenge.
“Siyempre, maganda na yung may pressure din konti. Professional naman tayo,” he said.
“Yung mga player walang room na mag-error, so ‘pag nandoon kami sa loob, lahat kami commit lang kami may mangyayari maganda.”
