PBA: Mark Barroca fuels Magnolia past Blackwater

Magnolia Hotshots’ Mark Barocca in a PBA Philippine Cup game against Blackwater Bossing. -PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–Mark Barroca continued to excel despite dealing with an injured wrist as Magnolia downed Blackwater, 81-77, Wednesday for its third straight win in the PBA Philippine Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Barroca posted 19 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals to lead another tough victory that brought the Hotshots up to third in the team standings with a 4-2 win-loss slate.

Ian Sangalang, Calvin Abueva, Jio Jalalon and Aris Dionisio also came through while Paul Lee closed on a personal milestone amid his struggles for Magnolia going into the crunch meeting with Rain or Shine this weekend.

READ: PBA: Magnolia tightens defense in 2nd half for back-to-back wins

Magnolia faces Rain or Shine, a team also on a hot streak with five straight wins, on Saturday in Tiaong, Quezon.

Blackwater had leads in the first half, but couldn’t counter Magnolia’s pullaway in the third and lost for the fifth straight time after an unbeaten start to the all-Filipino tournament.

The Bossing fell to a 3-5 record despite 23 points from rookie James Kwekuteye.

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It was late in the third which allowed Magnolia to take control before holding its biggest margin at 17 in the fourth on Barroca’s basket for 67-50.

PBA scores:

MAGNOLIA 81—Barroca 19, Sangalang 10, Abueva 10, Lee 10, Laput 9, Dionisio 7, Jalalon 7, Eriobu 4, Tratter 2, Mendoza 0, Balanza 0, Ahanmisi 0.

BLACKWATER 77—Kwekuteye 23, Rosario 20, Nambatac 9, Ilagan 7, David 7, Guinto 6, Hill 2, Jopia 2, Chua 1, Escoto 0, Suerte 0, Tungcab 0, Casio 0.

Quarters: 17-20, 34-34, 56-45, 81-77.