Magnolia guard Mark Barroca. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Magnolia staved off elimination and prevented TNT from marching to the Finals after a 105-97 victory that reduced its deficit to 3-2 in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup semis on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Mark Barroca waxed hot in the first half then played the role of stabilizer that enabled Ian Sangalang, Paul Lee and Calvin Abueva to deliver and keep the Hotshots alive in the best-of-seven series.
Coach Chito Victolero’s wards extended the matchup to a sixth game on Sunday despite repeated rallies by TNT, which pulled within three on five separate occasions in the fourth.
“We did a good job sustaining that defense for 48 minutes and we were able to limit our fouls and played a physical game so credit to all of them because they showed their mental toughness even with our backs against the wall,” said Victolero.
Barroca scored 25 points, making 16 in the first half which saw Magnolia overcoming a slow start to take a 59-45 halftime lead.
He would spend much of the fourth quarterbacking the team, with Lee, Sangalang and Abueva making key baskets amid repeated rallies by the Tropang Giga.
A jumper by Barroca started a Magnolia pullaway after TNT cut it to three for the final time at 95-92 on Glenn Khobuntin’s triple with under four minutes left.
Jayson Castro scored 18 points but Mikey Williams was again contained by the Magnolia defense, going 5-of-16 from the field while turning the ball over four times despite 13 points.
The scores:
MAGNOLIA 105 — Barroca 25, Abueva 16, Lee 16, Sangalang 16, Jalalon 15, Dionisio 10, Dela Rosa 3, Reavis 2, Escoto 2, Wong 0.
TNT 97 — Castro 18, Rosario 17, Erram 16, Williams M. 13, Pogoy 13, Khobuntin 12, Williams K. 6, Montalbo 2, Reyes 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.
Quarters: 28-26, 59-45, 81-73, 105-97.