Magnolia Hotshots Mark Barroca. –PBA IMAGES
Mark Barroca converted a go-ahead jumper down the stretch as Magnolia got past Converge, 99-95, on Wednesday in a PBA On Tour game that looked more like a late-conference encounter at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Barroca’s shot with 40 seconds left put the Hotshots ahead 96-95 after the FiberXers came back from 14 down to take the lead in the fourth quarter, before eventually getting a second win in as many games in the exhibition series.
“It’s good for both teams that we have this kind of game despite this being an exhibition,” said coach Chito Victolero. “At least, we both gained something because of the endgame situation.”
BARROCA BOMB
WATCH: Mark Barroca gives Magnolia back the lead, 96-95, with 40.3 ticks left. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/AORb8xqDca
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 31, 2023
Paul Lee scored 21 points while Barroca added 12 for Magnolia, which used the contest to give minutes to reserves Jed Mendoza, Jerrick Ahanmisi and James Laput and new acquisition Abu Tratter, who was facing his ex-team for the first time.
Mendoza put up 14 points in 24 minutes for the Hotshots.
Kevin Racal finished with 22 points and Jerrick Balanza added 20 but the FiberXers were denied another win after opening the On Tour by defeating the Terrafirma Dyip by a wide margin.
The FiberXers had a chance to atone for Barroca’s jumper, but Barkley Ebona and Balanza missed their layup tries on the next possession, resulting in a 24-second violation.
Balanza attempted a game-tying three after the Hotshots extended the margin to three, but his shot went offline.
The scores:
MAGNOLIA 99—Lee 21, Mendoza 14, Barroca 12, Ahanmisi 12, Laput 8, Tratter 8, Eriobu 8, Murrell 6, Corpuz 6, Dela Rosa 4.
CONVERGE 95—Racal 22, Balanza 20, Nieto 18, Teng 8, Stockton 7, Arana 6, Ebona 5, Mendoza 5, Ambohot 4, Guinto 0.
Quarters: 22-14, 45-35, 71-64, 99-95.