Magnolia started the PBA Governors’ Cup slowly with three consecutive losses to Converge, TNT, and San Miguel Beer, but they bounced back with two straight wins over Phoenix Super LPG and reigning champion Ginebra, putting them in the middle of the standings at 2-3.
Led by veteran guard Mark Barroca and new import Antonio Hester, the Hotshots dominated their last two games with a winning margin of 21.5 points.
Barroca played a key role in Magnolia’s victories with his brilliant plays on both ends of the floor, earning him the Cignal Play-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for the period Feb. 8-12. 
He scored 19 points, three rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 24 minutes of action against Phoenix, and then followed it up with 21 points, three boards, three assists, and two steals against Ginebra.
Magnolia’s win over Ginebra was particularly impressive, as they led by as much as 31 points before settling for a 118-88 victory, dealing the defending champion their first loss of the conference.
Barroca played a significant role in shutting down Ginebra’s dangerous backcourt combo of Scottie Thompson, Stanley Pringle, Jeremiah Gray, and LA Tenorio.
Barroca beat out TNT’s Mikey Williams and Rain or Shine’s Nick Demusis for the weekly citation from the group of print and online media regularly covering the PBA beat.
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
