Barroca on miracle shot: ‘That’s a highlight of my career’

MANILA, Philippines – Purefoods guard Mark Barroca was not able to see the shot he declared was one of the highlight plays of his young 4-year PBA career. But he was certain it was miraculous enough to merit that honor.

“Isa yun sa highlights siguro sa career ko, yung tira na yun,” he said chuckling proudly after Purefoods’ 100-94 win over Talk ’N Text in game 1 of their best-of-5 semifinals series Wednesday, April 1.

“Nakatalikod pa ako, hindi ko nga makita kung may ring ba sa likod ko kasi tinapon ko na lang e.”

(That’s one of the highlights of my career, that shot. I wasn’t even looking, I couldn’t even see if there was a ring behind me or not, I just heaved the ball.)

Mark Barroca’s reaction to his overhead no-look fadeaway putback for Purefoods! @ruselleabarroca @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/s3XCNd1g7K

— Jane Bracher (@janebracher) April 1, 2015

The 5-foot-9 Barroca delivered the dagger that effectively sealed Purefoods’ game 1 win with a shot that can only be accurately described as an overhead, no-look, fadeaway putback off a Denzel Bowles backboarded triple as the shot clock expired with 47.5 ticks left in the game.

“Ang iniisip ko na lang noon is, kasi 3 seconds na lang nung natira ni Denzel (Bowles), so sa akin ibabato ko na lang. Basta tamaan yung ring, bahala na,” the 28-year old said. (I was just thinking at the time that Denzel shot it with 3 seconds left, so I just had to put it up. I wanted it to hit the ring and that’s it.)

His shot came at a pivotal moment when the Texters were trying to complete at 21-point comeback as he extended the Hotshots’ cushion to 97-89. 

“Nagulat nga ako sigawan yung mga tao, hindi ko nga alam e. Tumama pala sa ring,” he explained.

WATCH IN VINES: Barroca hits miracle shot, Purefoods wins

“Tumakbo na ako pababa kasi alam ko yung Talk ’N Text pag makakuha silang bola dire-diretso sila, inaatake talaga kami sa depensa namin.”

(I was surprised everyone was screaming, I didn’t even know. It hit the ring. I ran back down because I know Talk ’N Text when they get the ball they run straight back and attack our defense.)

Like everyone else, Barroca himself was surprised he made the basket.

“Nagulat ako pumasok e. Nagulat ako nag-sigawan sila sa bench. Pero ang iniisip ko talaga noon is ibabato ko na lang kasi wala nang oras.”

(I was shocked it went in. I was surprised they were all yelling at the bench. But what I was thinking at the time was I will just throw it up because time was running out.)

Barroca finished with just 4 points and 5 assists in what would otherwise have been a dismal game for his standards, but he ended the night with teammate Bowles hoping he makes it to ESPN or SportsCenter.

“Crazy,” Bowles described the shot in one word after the game. “Somebody post it to ESPN or SportsCenter. That helped us out because they (Talk ’N Text) were coming back and it broke their back.” – Rappler.com