Magnolia Hotshots take finals game five victory

FILE: “Final: 88 – 86 in favor of the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok! Best Player: Mark Barroca with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists #PBAPhilCupFinals #PBALabanKungLaban” (Photo: PBA/Facebook)

The 2019 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup best-of-seven finals series standing is now at 3-2 in favor of the Magnolia Hotshots, after 33-year-old Zamboangueño Mark Barroca hit the game-winning shot against the San Miguel Beermen (SMB) for Game Five last Friday, May 10 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Hotshots gained hold of the momentum once the game was resumed after chaos ensued when a man dressed as Spiderman entered the court and crashed into SMB’s big man June Mar Fajardo during the last three minutes of the game, holding up a sign that read “Vote! Love!”

Barroca was the game’s highest pointer with 22, while teammates Ian Sangalang had a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds. Paul Lee contributed 12 points as well, before being subbed out in the final quarter due to a left shoulder injury. For SMB, it was June Mar Fajardo who stayed focused despite the bizarre situation until the very last second of the game, contributing 13 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter. The five-time league Most Valuable Player (MVP) also totalled 22 rebounds. Teammates Marcio Lassiter finished with 20 points, while Arwind Santos had a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds.

“I thank the Lord for giving me that chance,” Player of the Game Barroca shared in reaction to his buzzer-beater, Magnolia Coach Chito Victolero adding, “It was in God’s hands and it was a miracle shot.” On the other hand, SMB head coach Leo Austria told the media after the game, “We’re not able to execute the last few possessions. There was a lot of drama. I hope next game we will come out with a lot of energy because it’s going to be a do or die for us.”

Game Six between the Magnolia Hotshots and the San Miguel Beermen will take place next Sunday, May 12 at the same venue.