Far removed from Grand Slam glory, Barroca, Magnolia hungrier than ever for crown

It’s been four years since Magnolia, which was then known as San Mig Coffee, completed a rare Grand Slam but that stretch seem to have turned into an eternity in the ever-changing PBA.

Since the Hotshots triumphed in the 2014 Governors’ Cup, the PBA has seen three commissioners and four champions,  including the rise of San Miguel as one of the best All-Filipino teams ever.

The Hotshots stand in the way of the Beermen’s search for their fourth straight all-Filipino Cup crown, and they are hungrier than ever, especially they’ve proven that they can push their reigning champions to the limit.

“San Miguel has been winning titles for the past years, while we’ve been battling for that opportunity for four years,” said star guard Mark Barroca in Filipino after their Thursday practice at Ronac Art Center. “We’re really hungry for one more.”

Magnolia can get the lead anew in their best-of-seven finals series on Easter Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

More than just ending their drought, there is additional motivation for Barroca along with the last batch who felt the glory of being in a Grand Slam team.

Barroca is aware that Magnolia’s elders in Rafi Reavis, PJ Simon, Marc Pingris, Justin Melton, and himself won’t be teammates for long.

Reavis, 40, is the oldest of the group with Simon, 37, Pingris, 36, Barroca, 32, and Melton, 30, nowhere near the age of athletic prime in the PBA.

“PJ is getting up in years, Ping, Rafi, and even Justin,” said Barroca who was 28-years-old when they completed the Grand Slam. “It’s been so long and I think it’s time for us to take the championship.”

“I know that PJ and those guys are nearing retirement so before they leave I want to give them another championship.”