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If the term “role player” had a personification, it would be Mark Borboran.
Since being drafted back in 2008, the former Red Warrior out of University of the East has bounced around the league and got into five teams.
He averaged more than five points per game in a season just once during the 2014-2015 season with NLEX.
Borboran has not been the closer for Phoenix, but on Friday the lanky forward got his time in the sun as he led the Fuel Masters in the final frame to stop Mahindra 100-94.
“Ready lang ako kung gagamitin niya [head coach Ariel Vanguardia] ako sa game, tapos pag open kumpiyansa lang,” said Borboran as he finished with 13 points, 11 of which came in the fourth.
Of those fourth quarter points, the biggest was his four-point play with 1:51 to go when he drew the foul on Aldrech Ramos.
Borboran’s Hail Mary gave the Fuel Masters a 93-90 cushion.
“Basta sabi lang ni coach sa akin mag ready lang ako,” said Borboran.
Vanguardia said their game against the Enforcers was the opportune time for Borboran to take flight as he would have to match up against Mahindra’s lanky forward combo of Aldrech Ramos and KG Cañaleta.
“Sinabihan ko lang na ‘Mark ito na yung chance mo, mahahaba wings nila so ready ka lang,’” said Vanguardia. “He stepped up and made big shots.”