MARK Barroca quietly moved up in the rankings in the all-time consecutive games played in the PBA this month.
Barroca has now played 598 straight games in his career following Magnolia’s game against Barangay Ginebra on Christmas Day 2024, according to PBA statistics chief Fidel Mangonon.
Last December 20, Barroca actually moved up to second in the PBA’s consecutive games list, surpassing four-time PBA MVP and current Magnolia team manager Alvin Patrimonio (596).
READ: Amazed Mark Barroca anoints RJ Abarrientos the future of PBA
In that match-up against NLEX where Magnolia won in overtime, 99-95, the 38-year-old Barroca actually collided with Calvin Abueva at the end of the game. Barroca was down on the floor for a few minutes as he knocked out of breath in the collision with his teammate.
But true to becoming the PBA’s ‘Ironman’ among the current players, Barroca still played for the Christmas Day game albeit in a losing effort when Scottie Thompson hit a game-winning three to lift Barangay Ginebra to a 95-92 win.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa Panginoon na nakakalaro pa rin ako. Siyempre, Diyos pa rin ang nagbigay ng katawan natin. May edad na ako pero nakakalaro pa rin ako ng ganitong minuto,” said Barroca.
Barroca still has a long way to go in becoming the No. 1 in the list of consecutive games played with Ginebra guard LA Tenorio on top with 744, a streak that has since been snapped last March 2023.
It is no longer a secret how Barroca continues to keep going at this rate, and he has no plans of slowing down.
“Alaga lang sa katawan at ready lang lagi,” said Barroca, who is known to take care of his body through healthy eating.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
