After memorable weekend, Mark Barroca back into basketball mode

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Mark Barroca couldn’t let his first game as a married man end up in a loss.

That’s why the 31-year-old guard tried to move heaven and earth to bring the Magnolia back to life after a lackluster first half which saw it fall behind by as much as 13 to GlobalPort on Friday.

“Coach told me to focus. I had a very hectic schedule and my wedding is already over, so coach reminded me that it’s time to go back to basketball,” said Barroca, who married his wife Russelle in a church last Monday.

And focus, Barroca did.

The shifty playmaker triggered the Hotshots’ uprising, firing eight of his 12 points in the third frame fightback before ultimately claiming the 96-81 win over the Batang Pier.

“Coach reminded us that we didn’t need to score, but rather, we need to defend. And that’s what we did,” he said.

Barroca was one of the heroes for Magnolia as it ended its two-game slide and recover in its quest to secure one of the elusive top two spots, which comes with a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

With the Hotshots now in the playoffs, the former FEU stud said the Hotshots must not show let-ups, especially with one last game slated against Meralco on Saturday in Cagayan de Oro.

“We have a big chance to get the top two if we win against Meralco. Hopefully, we get that on Saturday. Now that the opportunity is here, we have no other choice but to grab it,” he said.

And it doesn’t matter for Barroca if he has to sacrifice his own honeymoon. All he wants is for Magnolia to achieve its goal of getting back in the championship round.

“My honeymoon is going to be delayed, but we have to be professional here,” he shared. “After everything is done this conference, then we can go to our honeymoon.”