ONE MORE TIME FOR BARROCA & VILLANUEVA?
Will the All-Star Obstacle Challenge be a duel between former FEU Tamaraws another time?
Four-time champ Jonas Villanueva hopes that would be the case on Friday, as he looks to redeem himself after Mark Barroca ended his streak last year.
“Yung skill set ni Mark, perfect sa challenge eh. Shooting, dribbling, passing, bagay talaga sa kanya,” the NLEX guard said, as he wished, “Sana kaming dalawa ulit sa Finals, but hopefully, ako naman ang manalo.”
Aside from Barroca, Villanueva sees a tough field in this year’s offing as tons of upstarts are there to challenge them for the right to be called the Obstacle King.
“Nakita ko na marami ring magagaling eh, lalo na yung mga bago. Pero lalaban naman ako. Advantage ko lang din na ilang years ko na ‘to ginagawa, kaya more of execution na lang,” he said.
The reigning Obstacle Challenge champion agrees, as he admits it would be tough for him to retain his title.
“Mahirap eh,” Barroca quipped. “Maraming magagaling ngayon. Nakaka-challenge din sa ibang players like sila Terrence (Romeo) at LA Revilla, kaya talagang excited ako.”
The Purefoods guard admitted that the pressure is expected to be on his side, but he welcomes the opposition and said, “Gusto ko yung nacha-challenge ako. Every time kasi na may ganun, parang dapat sunod-sunod ang panalo eh. Pero at least, kahit may pressure, masaya pa rin.”
Barroca also offered a possible scenario if he and Villanueva find themselves clashing for the title again.
“Sabi ko nga kay Jonas, kung pwede lang, hati na lang tayo,” he said.
Unfortunately, only one man will leave Palawan as the triumphant bearer of the Obstacle Challenge trophy. (RL)
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