PBA: Timeless Mark Barroca comes through anew for Magnolia

Magnolia Hotshots veteran guard Mark Barroca against Converge FiberXers’ Alex Cabagnot in the PBA Governors’ Cup. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Magnolia was on the verge of skidding to a 0-2 start in Group A of the PBA Governors’ Cup in its match with Converge on Friday.

Until Mark Barroca showed up in the clutch to help the Hotshots hold off the pesky FiberXers, 105-93, at Araneta Coliseum.

After being ice cold for almost the entire game, Barroca came alive in the last two minutes of the game, putting the nail on Converge’s coffin to help Magnolia improve to a 1-1 record.

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If you ask coach Chito Victolero, he expected nothing less from the veteran point guard.

“After the timeout, I decided to make a play for Mark for him to execute and he makes good decisions. I’m very happy,” said Victolero.

“Mark’s very careful with his body. There’s no problem with his conditioning and that’s why he plays like he isn’t in his 30s. Let’s not search up Mark’s age because it’s like he’s not aging,” added Victolero in jest.

Barroca, a 38-year-old swingman, saw Magnolia’s lead fizzle to seven, 100-93, in under the last two minutes. This, after the Hotshots led by as much as 21 over Converge.

With time winding down and a FiberXers comeback rally on the horizon, Barroca launched a dagger three-point bomb for a 103-93 lead with 59 ticks to go.

Barroca finished with seven points and six assists, missing four of his seven shots from the field.

Even Paul Lee, who finished with 14 points and seven assists, lauded his backcourt partner for his timely bucket down the stretch.

“I know he struggled for the whole game but in the end, we still went to him,” said Lee.