MANILA, Philippines—Magnolia’s maddening defense in its 77-71 Game 2 win over Alaska in the PBA Governors’ Cup finals started with two men—Jio Jalalon and Mark Barroca.
It was simply two high quality defenders in Jalalon and Barroca, who hounded Alaska’s ball handlers Chris Banchero, JVee Casio, and Simon Enciso.
The two Hotshots point guards combined for five of their team’s total 20 steals in the game and the duo said it boiled down to effort especially in the fourth quarter.
“I will always give my hundred percent effort against whoever I’m matched up against,” said Barroca in Filipino Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum. “I was guarding so many guys but so far our defense has proven its worth.”
“The team really wanted to win, because we weren’t in the lead for much of the game so we just pushed through and we told ourselves that ‘we can do this,’” added Jalalon in Filipino. “Our desire was there.”
Magnolia’s defense completely stifled the Aces in the fourth quarter allowing Alaska just two made field goals out of 20 attempts.
The Hotshots also registered eight steals in that quarter alone.
“I think we were quicker to the 50-50 balls and the team just talked that we need to win this one,” said Barroca, who finished with two points, two rebounds, and four assists. “By the second half our defense clicked and the hustle was there.”
It also helped that Barroca and Jalalon’s shared chemistry is unmatched by any other.
“Kuya Mark and I are always talking on what we will do,” said Jalalon who had seven points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. “When he’s pressuring Banchero I’m just waiting on the wings on what will happen. Basically, we’re reading each other.”
The 32-year-old Barroca is some sort of a mentor to Jalalon, who’s six years his junior, and the veteran point guard is glad that he has this bond with his teammate.
“I’m happy whenever we’re on the court together,” said Barroca. “We can both pressure the ball handler and when Paul [Lee] ia also on the floor we’re a fast team. We have a good rotation and we have a lot of guards. We’re not finesse players, our foundation is our energy and we just go through everything through hard work.”