PBA: Mark Barroca shines as Magnolia crushes Phoenix in Zamboanga

Magnolia Hotshots’ Mark Barroca during a PBA Philippine Cup game against Phoenix Fuel Masters in Zamboanga City. –PBA IMAGES

Mark Barroca capped off his homecoming on a winning note as Magnolia blew out Phoenix, 118-99, to remain unbeaten in the PBA Philippine Cup held Saturday evening in Zamboanga City.

Barroca finished with 18 points, six rebounds and five assists as the Hotshots raised their record to 4-0 in the all-Filipino tournament inside Zamboanga City Coliseum.

READ: PBA: Magnolia hopes past lessons can sustain strong opening this time

The win also came a day after Barroca celebrated his 39th birthday.

Ian Sangalang and Zavier Lucero were also instrumental in the win that kept Magnolia as the only team without a defeat this conference.

Sangalang posted 20 points while Lucero continued his rise as one of the prominent figures on the Magnolia rotation by tallying 17 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.

The game marked just the second time Barroca played in his hometown. Back in 2019, Barroca and Magnolia played in Zamboanga City against Meralco.

But it was not just Barroca who returned to the Western Mindanao city as rookie Peter Alfaro started and came up with six points and two rebounds in 19 minutes,

RR Garcia also hails from Zamboanga City and dropped 22 points with three rebounds and five assists for Phoenix in a losing effort.

The Fuel Masters fell to 1-3 despite 25 points and 15 rebounds from rookie Kai Ballungay, who continues to be the team’s bright spot amid the struggles.

Magnolia returns to action on May 4 against woeful Terrafirma at Ynares Center in Antipolo City while Phoenix tries to bounce back two days earlier against TNT in Montalban, Rizal.