WATCH: Mark Barroca Highlights [Magnolia vs Phoenix Super LPG | June 24, 2022]

Magnolia missed two key personnel during its game against Phoenix Super LPG but it did not deter the Hotshots from pulling off an easy 95-77 victory over the Fuel Masters, Friday in the elimination round of the PBA Season 47 Philippine Cup at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Calvin Abueva served his one-game suspension due to ‘unsportsmanlike conduct’ while Paul Lee is still nursing back spasm and a hurting calf.

The win, the Hotshot’s second consecutive, boosted the Chito Victolero-mentored squad’s record to an even 3-3 while the loss was the Fuel Masters’ 3rd in 5 starts.

“Next man up. Yun talaga ang mentality namin ngayon. Because we don’t want excuses. We don’t want na maging excuses ang injuries,” said Victolero during the post-game presser.

“We talked about the middle of the tournament — now, we’re in the middle of the tournament. And it’s time to level up our game,” he added.

Mark Barroca led the charge with 21 points on 8-of-18 shooting to go with 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals in 38 minutes of action.

Aris Dionisio, meanwhile, had a career game as the 26-year old native of Bustos, Bulacan finished with 19 points with 15 coming from the three-point area. The 9th overall pick of the 2019 draft shot a sizzling 5-of-7 (71%) from beyond the arc and added 7 boards, an assist, a steal and a block in his best performance so far in the pro league.

Jio Jalalon chipped in 15 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 steals while Ian Sangalang scored 14 points and hauled down 10 rebounds. Jackson Corpuz also had 14 markers.

The Hotshots take a week off before plunging back into action against the NLEX Road Warriors on Saturday, July 2 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.