It’s normal for Mark Barroca to provide the much-needed spark for the Magnolia Hotshots on a nightly basis. But on Saturday night, the 31-year-old floor general had an extra motivation.
Barroca’s 20-point, eight-rebound, five-assist performance in Magnolia’s 91-83 victory over the TNT Katropa was an inspired one, as he is set to ring wedding bells once more — this time at the church — with wife Ruselle weeks from now.
“Si MB [Barroca], medyo inspired kasi kakasal ulit,” bared Hotshots head coach Chito Victolero.
And it was something Barroca could not deny.
“Yun yung isa sa motivation ko,” shared the soft-spoken point guard. “Kasi matagal ko ng hinintay na magka-church wedding kami.
“So inaalay ko lang yung panalo namin at yung pagiging Best Player ko sa wedding namin.”
He and his wife Russele Ann have been married for six years, and saw it important to renew their vows. It will take place on February 12 — the date of their wedding anniversary, according to Mark.
Saturday couldn’t get any better for Barroca and Magnolia, who have inched closer to booking a quarterfinal spot, that even if they lost Paul Lee due to an injury, they were still able to take care of business.
“Kami naman lahat step up kasi nga dahil sa nangyari kay Paul. Di naman one-man team yung team. Lahat naman kami nag-effort, tulungan kami ngayon. Masaya kami kahit na na-injure si Paul. Positive pa rin kami,” the sixth-year pro said.
“Sana makabalik si Paul, kasi sayang naman yung winning streak. We pray na sana si Paul maka-recover ng maayos after ng ilang days.”
