COFFEE PRINCE TO OBSTACLE KING
Mark Barroca snapped Jonas Villanueva’s five-peat bid, winning the 2014 PBA All-Star Obstacle Challenge Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The 2014 Philippine Cup Finals MVP had a flawless run in the eliminations with 31.4 seconds, topping eight others, and continued his brilliance in the final round as he recorded a competition-best 29.4 seconds despite missing his opening lay-up.
“Isip ko na lang yung pinagana ko. Pinag-isipan ko kagabi pa na masaya pag nanalo ako,” said the 5-foot-10 guard. “Alam ko na yung gagawin ko kasi na-experience ko na itong competition na to last year. Pinagtrabahuhan ko lang talaga yung focus at execution.”
Perfect in his initial run, Barroca missed the layup in the final run but was still able to best his elimination mark.
He bested Villanueva, who had 36.8 seconds, and JV Casio (54.5 seconds) in the final round.
Barroca jokingly said, “Yung lay-up ang pinakamahirap. Yun lang yung mintis ko eh!”
“Mahirap pag nagmintis ka dun aa unang tira. Dapat confident ka lang,” he added.
“Gusto ko rin ma-experience. Nasa isip ko kagabi, kahit top three lang. Pag nakapasok sa finals, bahala na,” the Sam Mig Coffee guard said.
“Mahirap yung shot sa gitna, pag nagmintis ang hirap na bumalik. Lucky lang ako.”
Barroca came away with P30,000 in the competition.
Other competitors were three-time champ Willie Miller, LA Tenorio, John Wilson, Paul Lee, Sol Mercado, and Jayson Castro. (RL)
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