PBA: Mark Barroca's OT heroics lift Magnolia past SMB for 3-0 start

Cold for most of the game, Mark Barroca delivered when it mattered but as he converted two timely baskets to bail Magnolia out over San Miguel in overtime, 98-95, in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Down by one in the extra period, 95-94, the veteran guard sank what turned out to be his first field goal of the game to give the Hotshots a slim 96-95 lead.

Ian Sanggalang then came up with a crucial steal against CJ Perez that set the stage for another long two-point basket from Barroca off a Jerom Lastimosa dish, giving Magnolia a three-point advantage and the eventual victory.

Before those two baskets, Barroca was 0-of-8 from the field in the game. In fact, he was 1-of-18 if their  last game against Converge is included.

But the veteran in him showed up at the perfect time as they remained spotless at 3-0 while the Beermen fell to a 2-1 card.

"It's all about the grit and the determination of our players. We're down by double digits in the third quarter, I told them to not quit and try to wait for our run," Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero said.

"Good thing our bench players deliver the energy and I think 'yun lang 'yung puhunan namin, the hard work and the determination."

The OT victory also completed a 14-point comeback for the Hotshots, who once stared at a 58-44 deficit in the third period before slowly coming from behind.

The Beermen were well on the way to their third win in as many games when Don Trollano heated up to bring them to a 78-70 lead in the fourth. But Zav Lucero continued his fine performance by completing a three-point play that forced an 80-all deadlock.

The young guns proved crucial for Magnolia in that juncture with Lastimosa splitting his free throws for another stalemate at 87-all. June Mar Fajardo had the chance to win it for SMB in regulation, but he went wide on the jumper.

Lucero top-scored with 24 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two blocks while Lastimosa backstopped with 21 markers, five dimes, and two boards even as both players came off the bench.

Peter Alfaro and Calvin Abueva both listed 11 points as Paul Lee chipped in 10 markers.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News