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Barroca Shines Once More
By Jonas Terrado (February 11, 2009)

Harbour Centre's Mark Barroca has stepped up to become a big-time player in the Philippine Basketball League.

The Zamboanga City native lifted his game a notch higher in the finals to lead the Batang Pier to the 2009 PBL PG Flex Linoleum Cup title and the franchise's sixth straight crown.

Although he struggled in Game 4, Barroca delivered in the homestretch to finish with 15 points, including a back-breaking triple with 1:25 left that enabled the Batang Pier to take a nine-point lead, 82-73.

It was a fitting end to a memorable series for Barroca as he was later adjudged as the Finals' Most Valuable Player and to cap of a conference that saw several of the 41 rookies rising up as the league's brightest stars.

In the four-game series, the 5-9 guard averaged 13.3 points. He sizzled with 14 points, five rebounds and three assists in Game 1, and recovered from a 3-of-10 shooting in Game 2 loss with 13 points in the third game.

"Siguro binibigay na tiwala sa akin ni coach (Jorge) Gallent kaya siguro kumpinsiya din nakatulong sa akin para makuha ang Finals MVP," said Barroca, moments after receiving the award.

The fierce competitiveness of Barroca has been impressive, considering that he is just in his first year in the amateur commercial league.

One of several players taken from Far Eastern University as part of the tie-up between the school and Harbour, Barroca showed why he exploded as one of the Tamaraws' key players during the UAAP season by averaging 10.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists prior to Game 4 of the series.

His best game during the elimination round came during the second round against Burger King last January 6 at the San Beda gym when he posted 14 points, five rebounds and five assists in a 93-82 victory.

In the title-clincher, he overcame a shooting slump early in the first 25 or so minutes of the game when he hit key shots down the stretch and of course the aforementioned basket that put an end to Magnolia's conference.

He has also become a part of Rajko Toroman's RP developmental team, that saw him hit 37 points in a game against the pro incarnation of Burger King. Barroca sure has a bright future ahead in Philippine basketball.

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