MARK Barroca has no issues seeing Marqus Blakely in a different uniform, saying he's glad to see the former Best Import awardee find his way back to the PBA through TNT KaTropa.
"Syempre as a teammate dati, masaya akong makita siya ulit sa court. Parte ng trabaho natin yun. Masaya ako na nandito ulit siya sa PBA," Barroca said.
Blakely was a mainstay for the Purefoods franchise during the time of coach Tim Cone, winning two titles and helping the then-San Mig Super Coffee Mixers complete a rare Grand Slam back in 2014.
His last stint with the team was in the 2016 Governors' Cup, but he was replaced by Joel Wright after a 1-3 start under then head coach Jason Webb.
Barroca is aware on what Blakely can bring to the table for the KaTropa, and though they'll no longer be fighting side by side, he only hopes nothing but the best for the returning reinforcement.
However, don't mistake his well-wishes as a way of Barroca and Magnolia going easy on Blakely once they cross paths.
"Matagal na namin siya kasama. Ngayon, nasa kabila siya. Excited kami makalaro ulit siya," he said.
"Pero di ba kapag ma-trade ka sa ibang team, pumped up ka eh. Ganoon din ako. Kung siya may motivation, kami rin may motivation. Ibibigay lang din namin ang best namin at handa lang kami kasi alam namin na yung pagkuha sa kanya ng TNT, may purpose."
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