MANILA, Philippines – Mark Barroca displayed nerves of steel by knocking down the game-winner at the buzzer that propelled Magnolia to an 88-86 escape over San Miguel in Game 5 of the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup finals. 

The sizeable crowd at the Araneta Coliseum broke into cheers as Barroca beat the buzzer with a jumper from the baseline to give the Hotshots a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven affair on Friday, May 10.

Barroca torched the Beermen with 22 points points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in the game that was disrupted by a man who stormed inside the court wearing a Spider-Man costume. 

Play was stopped with 3 minutes left in the final frame as the man identified as Paolo Felizarta waved a placard with “Vote! Love!” written on it before he bumped and accidentally hurt June Mar Fajardo.

Felizarta was apprehended by security personnel at the venue and was eventually detained at Station 7 of the Quezon City Police District. 

San Miguel, though, was barely bothered by the stunt as it managed to knot the score at 86-all off a triple from Terrence Romeo with 1:24 minutes remaining.

But Barroca had other plans, selling the pump fake to Christian Standhardinger on the three-point line before taking one dribble for the buzzer-beater as Magnolia moved on the cusp of the All-Filipino crown.

“It was in God’s hands and it was a miracle shot,” winning coach Chito Victolero said of the biggest basket of the game. 

Ian Sangalang chalked up 18 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 blocks, while Paul Lee bucked off scares of a shoulder injury with 12 points for the Hotshots.

Jio Jalalon put up all-around numbers of 8 points, 9 assists, and 6 rebounds, while Rafi Reavis and Rodney Brondial chipped in 8 points apiece and conjoined for 15 rebounds in the win. 

The Beermen turned the tides after trailing 36-49 at halftime as they mounted a fiery 20-2 run to start the second half to enjoy a 56-51 lead. 

But San Miguel failed to sustain its fiery form with Magnolia taking control back heading into the final frame leading 69-63. 

Fajardo had 21 points, 22 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks, while Marcio Lassiter chimed in 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals in the losing effort.

Arwind Santos finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks, and Romeo added 11 points for San Miguel. 

Game 6 is on Sunday, May 12, at the same venue. 

The Scores

Magnolia 88 – Barroca 22, Sangalang 18, Lee 12, Jalalon 8, Reavis 8, Brondial 8, Dela Rosa 7, Melton 3, Pascual 2, Ramos 0.

San Miguel 86 – Fajardo 21, Lassiter 20, Santos 18, Romeo 11, Standhardinger 8, Cabagnot 5, Ross 3, Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Pessumal 0.

Quarters: 27-18, 49-36, 69-63, 88-86.

– Rappler.com