A player that sets a good example and that’s how Mark Barroca’s leadership is all about.
Neither sickness, injuries or his opponents can slow down the veteran guard who has played non-stop for 570 games, making him the second player in Purefoods franchise history who had the longest streak of games played.
Four-time PBA Most Valuable Player Alvin Patrimonio had the longest streak of games played in the franchise with 596, which for awhile was the record for the string of games played by any player in the PBA until LA Tenorio surpassed the feat and set his own mark of games played that stopped at 744.
But records aside, Barroca wants to serve as an inspiration to the rest of his teammates and by setting a good example, he can be able to show how great of a leader he is — in and out of the court.
A sprained hand injury had reduced the minutes of Barroca the past few games, but that didn’t stop the veteran guard who’s turning 38 next week and has played continuously since his rookie season in the league in 2011.
“Motivation lang, every game, every practice, nagi-enjoy lang talaga, especially at this stage ng career ko. Every game, every practice, my motivation is magko-compete ako. Gusto ko kasi yung nacha-challenge eh, sa mga bata para makita ko kung hanggang saan pa ako maglalaro. Yun ang main motivation ko,” said Barroca.
But Barroca did more than just setting a good example, but he was instrumental in the last two victories of the Hotshots, who now posted their third straight victory after losing the first two.
Barroca admitted that the hand injury has continued to nag him, but he is willing to play in pain until it subsibes.
“Ang sabi ng PT, time lang talaga. Siyempre dahil inilaro mo, hindi siya napapahinga. Pabalik-balik lang. Maglalaro ka hanggang sa mawala, so dun na lang sa laro mawawala ito. So motivation lang sa akin na ganito as a leader, ipapakita ko sa team na kaya kong mag-compete maski mayroon akong nararamdaman. As a leader, kailangan mong ipakita yun para madala mo sila. Pero masakit pa rin,” he added.
In his team’s latest victory, an 81-77 triumph over Blackwater, Barroca was able to shrug off the pain a little bit as he led the way with 19 points to go along with five rebounds and three assists.
Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero couldn’t ask for more on finding a perfect role model in Barroca.
“I’m very thankful to Mark kasi alam ko yung nararamdaman niya. I talked to him about it being a leader. He showed his passion, guts and grit niya. Ibinibigay niya lahat kahit may nararamdaman siya. Alam naman namin na masakit pero sabi ko sa kanya wala siyang choice dahil siya yung leader dito,” said Victolero.
“But yung iba, they will follow kasi nga may injury na siya naglalaro pa, tayo pa kayang wala, so very thankful ako sa kanya dahil sa ginagawa niyang sakripisyo sa team. Hindi nagpapabaya yan. I mean nakikita ko siya kung gaano niya inaalagaan yung katawan niya tsaka yung mga kinakain niya. Kamote lang sa umaga yan atsaka itlog. Talagang alagang-alaga niya yung katawan niya and I think and that’s one of the biggest factors bakit nakakasabay siya sa mga bata kasi inaalagaan niya katawan niya ng mabuti.”
