Out of their three losses in the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup Finals series, Game Four has to be the toughest for the Magnolia Hotshots.
All throughout the contest, the Hotshots were able to impose their hard-nosed defense that has led them to the Finals. Compared to the first three games of the series that saw them allow 102.0 points per contest, they were able to limit the potent San Miguel defense to just 84 points on Wednesday evening.
“This was the best game we played this series — even better than our Game One win,“ said second-year Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero.
And up until the final moment, the Hotshots had a chance to knot the series. However, the breaks of the game did not favor them.
With just eight seconds remaining and San Miguel up by just two points, 82-80, Rome dela Rosa was the designated inbounder of a timeout. Not wanting to fall prey to an inbound violation, he passed the ball to Aldrech Ramos, who was in the the bottom corner — but Arwind Santos hounded him. As the clock wound down, Ramos panicked. Even if Magnolia still had a timeout to burn, he passed the ball to a cutting Mark Barroca, who slipped on the catch that led to a foul on Santos.
Santos knocked down both of his free throws that sealed the win.
As Magnolia made their way down back to the locker room, Barroca and the Hotshots were downcast. Not only were they down 3-1 in the series but the sting of the last possession haunted them.
“Breaks of the game na yun, nasa referees na yun. Hindi natin alam pero wala na rin eh, foul talaga so hindi natawag, wala na tayong magawa, hindi naman pwede ibalik iyon. So, ayun lang,” reflected Barroca, who finished the game with 14 points, nine rebounds, and three steals. “Siguro next game mga ganoong game, kasi hindi lang kami naging smart doon. May timeout pa pala kami kasi naipit si Aldrech sa corner, nag-backdoor ako eh. Akala ko wala na ring timeout, may timeout pa pala kami.
“Kailangan siguro maging mas mature lang kami.”
Though he has regrets, the seven-year pro from Zamboanga City is not sulking. He asserted that there is no point in crying over spilled milk. as it would mean that they have already conceded the championship to the Beermen.
“Masakit lang pero iyon nga yung gusto naming eh. Yung ganung laro. Kwan lang kami, natalo kami sa laro na iyon pero hindi pa naman tapos yung series. Positive lang kami. Kasi kapag ganun yung laro, may chance kami sa huli, basta dikitan talaga, may chance kami. Dalawang possession lang yung kanina. Kung na-shoot lang naming iyon,” added Barroca, who is averaging 17.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 steals in the series.
“Sabi nga ni coach kung magdu-dwell ka, magmumukmok ka. Huwag na lang kaming pumunta sa Friday, ibigay nalang namin sa kanila.
“Pero nasa kamay pa rin namin eh, trabaho pa rin, bahala na kung anong mangyari. Basta yung best pa rin namin. Masaya kami kasi lumabas na yung laro namin, kaya naman kapag ganitong laro. Hindi namin kaya yung laro nilang 100 points pataas, hindi kaya,” concluded a defiant Barroca.
