There was a surreal feeling on Friday night time as Magnolia lastly snapped out of an alarming begin within the PBA Commissioner’s Cup—however solely after two key gamers ended up getting harm.
A freak accident earlier than tipoff made Paul Lee a late scratch, whereas Mark Barroca needed to catch his breath for a couple of minutes after getting harm throughout a collision with Calvin Abueva within the waning seconds of the Hotshots’ 99-95 extra time victory over the NLEX Highway Warriors at Philsports Area in Pasig Metropolis.
Article continues after this commercial
“We have now a whole lot of accidents,” coach Chito Victolero mentioned when instructed that Barroca was capable of rise up virtually on his personal. “There’s no excuses, however hopefully we’re full earlier than the Ginebra sport.”
That sport will probably be on Christmas Day, when followers will probably be handled to the renewal of the so-called “Manila Clasico” sibling rivalry, which is a must-win for Magnolia after its victory to open the midseason convention was adopted by 4 consecutive losses previous to the NLEX tussle.
All 4 defeats got here by a mean margin of two.7 factors, with two of these coming regardless of holding double-digit leads in opposition to Converge and Rain or Shine.
Article continues after this commercial
“I [talked to] the gamers and [said sorry] to them [but we needed] to have a playoff-like mentality due to the urgency to be on the following degree … which they confirmed [against NLEX],” Victolero mentioned.
It appeared like issues couldn’t worsen for the embattled Hotshots, when Lee discovered himself lacking the matchup with the Highway Warriors when a steel railing fell on his face whereas he was mendacity on the ground.
“It’s actually a freak accident,” mentioned Lee, who added that he was feeling dizzy for many of his time watching the group from the bench. “I used to be simply there warming up and the barrier fell on my face.”
5-point play
Lee’s absence, fortuitously for Magnolia, didn’t hamper the group’s bid to snap its dropping spell. The Hotshots rode on import Ricardo Ratliffe’s 38 factors and 19 rebounds, already massive numbers that appeared greater given the truth that he performed by way of a proper shoulder damage.
Zavier Lucero, who himself missed one sport throughout one of many losses, was additionally key within the further session on each ends, as Magnolia weathered a decided NLEX facet that even took a lead within the essential moments by way of the league’s first-ever five-point play courtesy of Robert Bolick.
However Bolick missed a determined 4 from midcourt whereas Robbie Herndon did not make a hurried shot close to the second arc earlier than time expired, which was when Barroca was seen on the bottom holding his rib.
Barroca may solely chuckle on the matter upon rising from the dugout, even answering questions from teammate Russel Escoto, who playfully acted as if he was a member of the fourth property.
“It felt like I blacked out,” mentioned Barroca.