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 РJames 35, Newsome 10, Tolomia 8, Almazan 7, Faundo 6, Hodge 6, Jackson 5, Quinto 3, Salva 2, Ca̱aleta 2, Amer 2, Pinto 0, Hugnatan 0.
Quarterscores: 32-15, 51-33, 72-63, 99-88.
