The veteran is liking the youngster's fight—and his pesky defense.
Mark Barroca of the Magnolia Hotshots knows a thing or two about pesky, physical defense. And, apparently, he is getting a heavy dose of it at practice courtesy of backup guard Jed Mendoza.
Not that the 37-year-old six-time champion is complaining. In fact, he is liking the fight of the 26-year-old Mendoza, the last pick of the 2021 PBA Draft. Barroca actually welcomes it and wants more.
“Si Jed Mendoza, sa practice namin lagi niya ako china-challenge,” Barroca told the PBA broadcast team of Carlo Pamintuan and Quinito Henson right after Magnolia’s 99-95 victory over the Converge FiberXers on Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Barroca added that getting challenged by the youngster is actually a good thing, both for him and Mendoza.
“Kung ano ‘yung ginagawa niya dito (in games), doble pa ginagawa niya sa ‘kin sa practice,” Barroca said. “Sabi ko nga sa kanya, bugbugin mo ko dito sa practice. Okay lang, kasi at least pagdating sa game ready ako, kasi nga, grabe si Jed. Physical talaga sa depensa.”
The two-time finals MVP was ready all right, scoring the marginal baskets that helped the Hotshots hold off the FiberXers in a preseason game that had the intensity and feel of a playoff duel. Barroca also showcased the same pesky, physical defense Mendoza is known for, clamping down on Jeron Teng and Alec Stockton in different possessions down the stretch as Magnolia proved steadier in the game’s final minutes.
Barroca will need to be ready for the games that truly matter come October, as he will again be among Magnolia’s main men.
Mendoza, on the other hand, will likely ride the bench more often than not given the Hotshots’ depth at the guard spot with Barroca, Paul Lee, Jio Jalalon, and Jerrick Ahanmisi expected to log most of the minutes.
But Mendoza is doing his part, albeit mostly behind the scenes. Barroca, though, believes that the young guard will be just as ready when called upon because of how hard he goes at practice.