Amid hot streak, Hotshots focused on bigger picture

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

Despite winners its five straight games, Magnolia is keeping its feet on the ground knowing that there are tougher foes ahead.

Mark Barroca said that has been the key for the Hotshots as they now sit atop of the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup standings at 6-1 midway through the eliminations.

“We’re just positive. We’re not complacent with what we have right now because we know we need to keep on pushing,” he said after Magnolia escaping a tough challenge from Blackwater, 78-72, on Friday.

Barroca knows that this string of wins may blind Magnolia from its bigger goal, something which the team is trying to address as it keeps its focus on the bigger picture.

“We’re 6-1 now, but it still means nothing. Whatever we accomplish, if we lose in the end, it will all go to waste. So we want to keep on pushing until we get to where we want to go, which is to gain a (twice-to-beat) advantage (in the quarterfinals),” he said.

But one of this conference’s top dogs await the Hotshots when they stake their five-game winning streak against three-time champion San Miguel on Sunday — a game which Barroca regards as a barometer on how far the team could go this season.

“We’ll see how far we can go in this game against them. We all know San Miguel is really strong, and we’ll just give our best,” he said of the battle between the top two teams so far.

“Our team has been together for so long and I believe we’re already hungry. Hopefully, we’ll get that chance to get to our goal and win against them.”