Mark Barroca did not disappoint his compatriots, helping the Magnolia Hotshots get past the Meralco Bolts, 99-88, to collect their fifth win in a row in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Saturday at the MVA City Coliseum, Zamboanga City.
Barroca finished with 21 points, six assists, and a steal in the victory that hiked the Hotshots’ record to 5-2.
Two of Barroca’s points early in the game came from the free throw line and it broke a 12-all tie, which sparked a fiery 18-0 blitz to give Magnolia a 30-12 lead. They would head at the halftime break with a commanding 51-33 edge.
The Bolts, however, would rally in the third, and a Chris Newsome bucket knocked them to within just four, 57-61.
But Magnolia would wake up from that slumber afterward. Big thanks to do-it-all guard Jio Jalalon, they would regain command of the match by building a massive 91-71 lead with 6:14 left to play, keeping Meralco at bay until the end.
Import James Farr provided 19 points, 17 rebounds, three blocks, two assists, and a steal for the Hotshots.
Paul Lee — who fell down at the 10:21-mark of the fourth quarter after an apparent sprain in his left ankle following a hard drive to the rim, but managed to return five minutes later — produced 18 points built on four three-pointers.
Ian Sangalang chimed in 11 markers, 10 rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block against six turnovers.
Meralco’s loss spoiled the debut of new import Delroy James, their replacement for the injured Gani Lawal. The 6-foot-8 forward finished with 35 points on 48-percent shooting, 10 rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and a steal.
The Orangemen have now lost their fourth consecutive outing and have fallen to a 3-6 record.
The Scores:
Magnolia 99 – Barroca 21, Farr 19, Lee 18, Sangalang 11, Jalalon 9, Melton 6, Simon 5, Pingris 4, Herndon 3, De La Rosa 3, Brondial 0.
Meralco 88 – James 35, Newsome 10, Tolomia 8, Almazan 7, Faundo 6, Hodge 6, Jackson 5, Quinto 3, Salva 2, Cañaleta 2, Amer 2, Pinto 0, Hugnatan 0.
Quarterscores: 32-15, 51-33, 72-63, 99-88.
