The true goal

Marc Barroca (left) keyed a strong second quarter by Magnolia that send Don Trollano and NLEX crashing. —PBA IMAGES

Magnolia believed that for it to be successful in the playoffs, it has to swiftly forget how it dominated the PBA Philippine Cup’s elimination phase.

“We started these quarterfinals with a different mindset,” said Hotshots coach Chito Victolero. “Whatever happened in the elimination round is just 25 percent of our goal. The other 75 will be in these playoffs.”

They’re doing well so far, forging a 98-89 dismantling of the NLEX Road Warriors in Game 1 of their quarterfinal showdown at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Mark Barroca fueled a 40-21 charge in the second quarter by pouring in 11 of his game-high 24 points there to help Magnolia pull away, but the team got contributions from a lot more than their veteran playmaker, who made it to the league’s 5,000-point club as a bonus.

“Perhaps it’s just the way we share the basketball. We try to sacrifice individual talent for the team’s [sake],” said Victolero, whose team entered the playoffs on the momentum of a seven-win streak. “That’s just us trying to find the better shot. I guess that approach is what led us to get good looks and good possessions.”

Paul Lee and Calvin Abueva both chipped in 13 in the scoring effort, while three more finished in double-figures as the Hotshots moved to the doorstep of a semifinal berth.

“The mindset was to really set the tone early. All of our battles against NLEX, we’re always slow. So the mindset was to have a strong start,” said Barroca, who also turned in seven rebounds and two steals. “Also, this is the playoffs and this series is determined by just two wins. It’ll be hard if [the opponent] gets ahead of you.”

“I don’t have any goals now other than to win the championship,” he added.

Tony Semerad had 19 points while Calvin Oftana and Don Trollano each chipped in 15 for NLEX.

The Road Warriors showed signs of life in the final 1:23, pulling within 96-89, but without top playmaker Kevin Alas (health protocols), NLEX sputtered.

Magnolia will have a chance to finish off NLEX this Friday at Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City and arrange a best-of-seven duel against the winner of the TNT-Converge series.

But Victolero is taking things a step at a time.

“We’re trying to stay in the present,” he said.