PBA: Mark Barroca spoils Robert Bolick's historic shot as Magnolia clips NLEX in OT thriller

Ricardo Ratliffe that he still got game with a monster outing against NLEX. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Just when Robert Bolick was about to taste PBA history, Mark Barroca spoiled the fun.

Barroca spoiled Bolick's historic moment in crunch time as Magnolia pulled off a 99-95 overtime win against NLEX in their PBA Commissioner's Cup clash on Friday night at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

Bolick, who went viral for completing a five-point play in the PBA All-Star Game, made history as the first player to complete the four-plus-one in a regular season game, putting the Road Warriors ahead, 95-94, with 55.5 seconds left.

However, Barroca hit a fallaway jumper with 38.8 seconds to go to put the Hotshots back up, 96-95, and it happened to be the eventual game-winner as they would seal the win with clutch free throws.

Bolick tried to save NLEX again, but a hurried halfcourt heave only hit the front rim, and Robbie Herndon's putback from four-point range rimmed out too as the final buzzer sounded.

Ricardo Ratliffe put up vintage numbers of 38 points, 19 rebounds, and one assist for Magnolia, which ended a four-game slide to move up to 2-4 ahead of its first Manila Clasico of the season on Christmas night against Ginebra at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Zav Lucero added 14 points including back-to-back layups that put the Hotshots ahead, 94-90, before Bolick's five-point play, five rebounds, one block, and one steal.

Bolick finished with 28 points, five rebounds, nine assists, and two steals to lead NLEX, whose own losing streak continued to three straight games, causing it to drop to 3-4.

Mike Watkins put up 17 points, 23 rebounds, one assist, four blocks, and one steal.

The team gets a full three-week Yuletide break, which could be long enough for coach Jong Uichico to rediscover their winning ways before facing Meralco on Jan. 10 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno