PBA: Barroca laments lapses after Magnolia blows big lead in loss

Magnolia guard Mark Barroca, left, reacts to a call during a game against NLEX in the PBA Philippine Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Magnolia veteran Mark Barroca offered no excuses after Magnolia’s sorry loss to NLEX in the PBA Philippine Cup on Saturday night.

Barroca and the Hotshots fumbled and ultimately crumbled to a 107-99 defeat at the hands of the Road Warriors despite taking a 19-point lead and said there was no one to blame but themselves for their second straight loss.

READ: PBA ramps up security after death threats to Magnolia players

“It was our fault,” said the crafty guard on his way out of Ninoy Aquino Stadium. “We had a lot of lapses, especially on defense. All of us had mistakes so we just need to settle ourselves down for the next game… All of us had a hand in that loss. We let it go.”

Barroca had a forgettable night against NLEX, finishing with just two points, sinking just one of his five tries from the field. He did, however, manage to dish out five assists.

The Hotshots, who dropped to a 7-3 card, struggled mightily from the three-point area, making just two from rainbow country.

It certainly didn’t help Magnolia’s cause that it wasn’t able to contain Robert Bolick on the other end. Bolick had his way against the Hotshots, collecting 25 points, nine rebounds and five assists.

READ: PBA: NLEX claims first twice-to-beat, rallies past Magnolia

Barroca, though, took responsibility for his abysmal night and said he and the other Hotshots could’ve done more to stop NLEX from rising to 8-2 in the standings.

“I’m one of the guys who didn’t step up in today’s game so for sure, in the next game, I’ll bounce back to help out the team.”

“We’ll do our best against TNT on Friday, hopefully we get that win.”

The Hotshots look to snap a two-game skid against the streaking Tropang 5G on Friday to end their elimination round campaign.