LITTLE THINGS COUNT A LOT
A statline of 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a block doesn’t really do justice for the hellacious effort Mark Barroca dished out for a solid 32 minutes against Talk ‘N Text.
But for the San Mig Coffee guard, whether he is selected as the Best Player of the Game or not, the important thing is that the Coffee Mixers have now gained a 1-0 series lead in their best-of-five championship duel.
“Wala pa sa amin yung 1-0 kasi one game is just one game. Ang gusto namin ngayon, makuha yung Game 2 para mas maganda, para mas may gap kami sa kanila,” said Barroca.
Ranged against bulkier Talk ‘N Text guards, Barroca gave his all as San Mig gutted out the 95-80 Game 1 victory, snapping the Tropang Texters’ 13-game winning streak.
“Alam kong mas malaki at mas malakas sila. Ang sa akin, yung little things lang, yung hustle ko, dun ako mananalo sa kanila kasi yun yung talent ko,” he said. “Sabi nga ni coach, pang-pogi points lang yun (tinapos natin yung 13-game winning streak nila). Ang aim namin is yung championship.”
But despite the 15-point spread at the end of the game, Barroca remained wary of the Tropang Texters’ adjustments come Game 2.
“Alam naming hindi yun yung Talk ‘N Text na nag-13-0, so yung next game, mag-a-adjust sila at ready lang kami sa mga little things na paga-adjustan namin,” he said.
“Basta kami, trabaho kami para makuha yung championship.” (RL)
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