MARK Barroca looks forward to his homecoming as he plays in front of his hometown in Zamboanga City as Magnolia takes on Meralco on Saturday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Barroca will play in Zamboanga City for the first time as a PBA player as the league will play in the city for the first time in a decade. The last time the PBA played in Zamboanga City was in March 11, 2010 in a battle between San Miguel Beer and TNT.
The 33-year-old Barroca said he has fond memories of the MVA City Coliseum where the match will be played as it was there where the big games in the city where held including in his college days with Unibersidad de Zamboanga.
Barroca said it was also in the stadium where he was discovered by Far Eastern University, paving the way for him to play in Manila where he eventually became a member of the original Gilas Pilipinas team. He was later drafted by Shopinas.com in 2011 before being traded immediately with the Magnolia franchise.
“Nakalaro na ako doon nung college ako, doon ako naglaro nung college. Memorable sa akin. ‘Yun ‘yung lagi naming linalaruan kapag big league, inter-school,” said Barroca.
With the PBA playing in Zamboanga City, Barroca admitted there are already a lot of requests for tickets, but said those will be reserved for his family back home.
“Nagtatago na nga ako kasi hindi ko sila mabibigyan ng tickets,” said Barroca with a smile. “Magalit na kung magalit. Siyempre unahin ko pamilya ko.”
While he will be playing in Zamboanga City for the first time, Barroca said it will be all business for him as Magnolia eyes to extend its winning streak to five games against Meralco in the Petron Saturday Special.
“Business pa rin. Pagpunta doon, same lang kapag out of town. Malaking bagay na manalo doon para umakyat kmai sa standings. Malaking chance na makapunta sa top two,” said Barroca.
Barroca now hopes Zamboanga will be a regular stop of the PBA in their out-of-town games.
“’Yun ng pangarap ko na maglaro PBA doon. Almost 10 years din hindi naglaro doon. Sana start na ‘to a madala uli PBA doon,” said Barroca.
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