Mark Barroca was the hero Magnolia needed, as the Hotshots beat the San Miguel Beermen, 88-86, to take a 3-2 lead in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup Finals, Friday night at SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The veteran guard sank a jumper off a shot fake as the final buzzer sounded, lifting his Hotshots to just one win away from the crown and from ending SMB’s four-year reign as All-Filipino kings.
Barroca finished with a game-high 22 points, on top of five rebounds and five assists. The eight-year pro also collected a steal and a block in the 38 minutes and 43 seconds he saw action.
“It was in God’s hands, and it was a miracle shot,” said Hotshots head coach Chito Victolero.
Ian Sangalang produced a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds with two blocks. Meanwhile, Paul Lee added 12 markers and three caroms in the win despite being hobbled by shoulder issues.
Barroca’s heroics overshadowed the bizarre incident that occurred with 3:06 left in the game, when a fan dressed up as Spider-Man stormed the court, causing a delay.
The man entered with the game ongoing while carrying a placard with various messages such as “VOTE LOVE” and “GOD BLESS US ALL.” Unfortunately he collided with June Mar Fajardo.
Fajardo was visibly hurt in the incident, as the man’s head hit him on the jaw.
Event security then apprehended “Spider-Man”, along with two more men believed to be his accomplices. They were all eventually brought to the nearest police station.
Victolero admitted the strange incident affected the game, since it allowed the Beermen to rally. San Miguel managed to tie the game, 86-all, after a Terrence Romeo triple with 1:18 on the clock.
“May factor yun, on both teams ah. Siyempre, natigil yung game. We were up four, by six tapos nagka-ganoon? ‘Di natin alam, baka may planong ganon yung Panginoon,” he said.
“Siguro para sa last shot na ‘to para maganda yung end. Madaming nangyari ngayon, thank God naka-survive kami. Pero pinagdadasal namin na sana walang mangyari kay Paul at June Mar,” the reigning Coach of the Year added.
Fajardo finished with 21 points and 22 rebounds to lead San Miguel. Marcio Lassiter had his best game of the series so far, as he supplied 20 points and eight rebounds. Romeo added 11 markers.
Game Six is on Sunday, May 12, still at SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
Magnolia 88 – Barroca 22, Sangalang 18, Lee 12, Jalalon 8, Reavis 8, Brondial 8, Dela Rosa 7, Melton 3, Pascual 2, Ramos 0.
San Miguel 86 – Fajardo 21, Lassiter 20, Santos 18, Romeo 11, Standhardinger 8, Cabagnot 5, Ross 3, Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Pessumal 0.
Quarterscores: 27-18, 49-36, 69-63, 88-86.
