MARK Barroca found the help he was looking for on Thursday night – but it came a game late as Star surrendered a 91-88 decision at hands of Meralco in Game Three of their PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal series to kiss their season goodbye.
One of the few bright spots for the Hotshots in Game Two, the veteran playmaker sustained his vintage form in the do-or-die game as he registered 21 points, 12 boards, and missed a triple-double by just two assists.
But he also got support from Marc Pingris, Jio Jalalon, and the rest of the local crew that stepped in the absence of injured star Paul Lee and the lack of production of import Kristofer Acox.
“Sana ganun yung effort na binigay namin nung Game Two,” Barroca said. “Kasi nung Game Two, wala talaga eh. sabi nga ni coach, eto yung pinakamgadang effort na naibigay namin – nung Game One tsaka eto."
“Sana nabigyan pa namin ng chance kung naglaro kami nung Game Two ng ganito,” he added. “Pero ganun talaga, ‘di kami sinwerte. Kinapos kami, wala talagang magagawa.”
Barroca deflected credit to his local teammates for giving the fancied Bolts a scare and dragging them to an extra session before folding.
“Lahat naman kami nag-step up,” Barroca said. “Collectively, si Jio, si Ping, si Justin, even sina Rome, Bambam.”
“Kahit medyo kinapos nung huli, positive pa rin kami,” he was quick to add. “Sabi nga, may purpose ‘to bakit kami ganito, semis. Rebuilding kami – bagong coach, tapos bagong teammates, so by next year, ang target makasungkit ng kahit isang championship.”
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