Barroca urges teammates to finish off Ginebra in Game 3
MAGNOLIA’S defeat to Ginebra in the 2017 Philippine Cup semifinals still haunts Mark Barroca.
With the two teams on the warpath again, the pesky Magnolia guard vowed to not let the same thing happen again.
Showing tremendous grit and determination, Magnolia took the first two games in the PBA Governors’ Cup best of five semifinal series and could end Ginebra’s twoyear reign with another victory on Wednesday.
Barroca knows well that one slip-up could lead to another heartbreaker.
“Yung 2-0 mapupunta sa wala kung di mo matatapos ng tatlong panalo,” Barroca said after Magnolia’s 101-97 victory in Game 2 Monday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Dumaan kami dito last year. Dapat stay hungry kami at i-treat namin ang next game na do-ordie,” added Barroca, who still vividly remember the Hotshots’ collapse against the Kings in the 2017 Philippine Cup semifinals.
In that series, the Hotshots started the best-ofseven series with back-toback victories, only to see Ginebra take four of the next five matches to reach the Finals.
“Alam naman natin pag ang Ginebra nakakuha ng bwelo yan, susunod na yan,” Barroca said. “‘Never Say Die’ nga sila diba? So dun mo makikita yung attitude nila. At isa pa, championship team yan so iba yung kalibre nila.”
Given a slim chance to win the series, the Hotshots have defied the odds with their trademark defense that kept the Kings struggling for their shots.