Nothing can easily take away the worry Mark Barroca has been feeling ever since entering Pampanga for the PBA Philippine Cup resumption.
Despite the solid performances he’s been putting up for Magnolia, at the back of the 35-year-old’s mind is his wife Ruselle, who’s currently pregnant with their third child and is expected to give birth this month.
“It’s the first time na magkalayo kami ng asawa ko, na wala ako sa tabi niya. Siyempre, nagiisip din ako,” he said.
“The day na pumunta kami rito, kasi nga due date niya is October … na-extend pa tayo, so nag-isip na rin ako paano.”
Luckily for Barroca, he has someone like head coach Chito Victolero, himself a family man, who has greatly helped him be at peace.
Photo by PBA Images
“Nung una pa lang, pinag-usapan na namin ni Coach kung paano,” he said. “Tinulungan ako ni Coach, in-encourage sa ganitong sitwasyon. Nag-usap kami ni Coach na ito, binigyan ako ng [focus] na maglaro lang, na bahala na si Lord.
“Sa lahat naman sinusuportahan ako ni Coach, sa pamilya ko na may titingin sa pamilya ko doon. Pasalamat ako kay Coach na nabigyan ako ng peace sa isip ko, na maglaro lang talaga rito ng focused para sa goal namin.”
Proof of that focus Victolero has helped instill in Barroca was seen on Sunday night, in Game Four of their semifinal match-up with Meralco.
As the Bolts stormed back from 21 points down and closed to within just five, the 10-year vet provided the much-needed steadiness in the endgame by drilling a wing three-pointer to wide the gap to eight with 2:11 left.
The Hotshots went on to bag home the 81-69 victory to put themselves on the verge of booking their third Philippine Cup Finals trip in four seasons.
Barroca finished with 17 points, six assists, a rebound, and a steal. Aside from the desire to bounce back from last Friday’s Game Three defeat, the Zamboanga-native is inspired, of course, by his wife and kids.
“Ako, motivation ko ‘yung wife ko — buntis, manganganak na wala ako doon. Nag-struggle ako nung una doon, so kinausap ako ni Coach about doon. So ngayon, focus ako na makuha namin,” said Barroca.
“Ito ‘yung motivation ko, na ginagawa ko para sa kanila,” he added.
“Siyempre para sa teammates ko, ‘yung mga pamilya nila, sa mga fans namin.”
