After a dismal 0-3 start, the Hotshots are getting their bearings going, winning back-to-back games.
It looks like Mark Barroca is getting accustomed to his new role with the Magnolia Hotshots.
Putting the veteran guard in the second group worked wonders for the Hotshots, who dismantled Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings, 118-88, in their PBA Governors’ Cup match on Sunday.
Barroca emerged as the best local scorer with 21 points to go with 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals while leading a bench mob that proved vital in the 30-point win, which was now the most by Magnolia since drubbing Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 118-87 in the PBA Philippine Cup last year.
At the post-game presser, the former Far Eastern University Tamaraws guard bared coach Chito Victolero talked to him about the switch. He was all in on the idea.
Turned out, the minute restriction is a ploy to preserve his legs for bigger battles in the playoffs.
“Nag-usap kami ni coach. Sabi niya sa'kin maga-adjust kami sa minutes ko. Nag-usap kami na off the bench, ili-limit time ko para sa playoffs. Nung time na 'yun parang naga-adjust pa ako. Ngayon parang dahan-dahan nakukuha ko na,” said Barroca, whose team edged Ginebra in bench points, 49-10.
“First two games namin, parang hindi masyado aggressive. Ngayon aggressive lang ako. 'Yun mentality ko. Kailangan ko depensa at opensa para sa second group namin.”
But of course, this was not the sole reason for Magnolia’s resurgence.
While Victolero commended the rest of the Hotshots locals, he pointed out new import Antonio Hester “was a big factor for us.”
“He changed the pace, the tempo of our game, everything. That's why without Ian (Sangalang) at least we have a go-to guy in the post. It created a lot of opportunities for our small guys,” said Victolero of Hester.
Hester put up a near-triple double outing with 28 points, 18 rebounds, and 9 assists in the victory at the Mall of Asia Arena.