BREAKING NEWS: MAGNOLIA HOTSHOTS VETERAN STAR MARK BARROCA STILL MISSED THE SERVICES OF HIS LONG TIME BACKCOURT DUO JIO JALALON..

CHICAGO – Arguably the best backcourt tandem in the PBA for nearly a decade, Mark Barroca and Jio Jalaon were tight as jeans, inseparable as power and privilege.

But for the first time since the Philippine Cup of Season 42, Barroca was all alone in the Magnolia Hotshots backcourt.

Jio-less and almost clueless.

Just to give you a perspective of how long ago 2016 was, here’s some of the happenings in the PBA back then.

Nash Racela was still coaching TNT while Caloy Garcia assumed the position at Rain or Shine after the legendary Yeng Guiao migrated to NLEX. On the player front. JImmy Alapag officially retired.

Fast forward to 2024. Mark is still at Magnolia, having been there since 2011. Gone was Jalalon, who was traded to NorthPort last month.

“Eight years na kami magkasama. Malaking bagay siya sa team. Tapos yung presensya niya sa depensa kakaiba para madali na lang ‘yung trabaho ko pag nandyan sya. Ngayong season nasa kabilang team na siya so parang di ako sanay,” Barroca told me.

MISSING JIO.

“Alam naman natin na kung ano yung kaya niyang gawin sa court. Sobrang dami,” Barroca added.

Without the pint-sized Jalalon’s defensive tenacity and offensive punch, Meralco’s Chris Banchero and Chris Newsome combined for 27 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists to beat Magnolia, 99-94, on Sunday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

While he might have felt awkward and melancholic out there in the trenches without his Robin, Barroca continued to be Batman for Magnolia and fought for the Hotshots’ cause with a strong showing of 9 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals.

A six-time PBA champion and 9-time All-Star, Barroca is a consummate pro who understands that trades are part of the business and that Magnolia will be just fine.

“Sa ngayon ang rotation namin sa point guard ay si (Jed) Mendoza, (Peter) Alfaro, (Jerrick) Ahanmisi at ako. Kaso wala pa si (Jerom) Lastimosa. Ok naman po yung chemistry namin,” he explained.

While Barroca acknowledged not having any control over player personnel moves, he works hard on those he can control. Which includes taking care of his body.

A DOOR CLOSE, ANOTHER ONE OPENS.

At age 38, entering his 13th year in the PBA, Barroca remains in terrific shape. He works out regularly, especially in between conferences. This man will not be goaded into wiping out an extra serving of white rice.

“Yung disiplina ko lang sa pagkain at maraming papawis training,”

Although a 0-1 start isn’t what he had hoped for in this Governor’s Cup, Barroca is grateful for having a good import in Glenn Robinson III who marked his PBA debut with a sterling 29-point, 11-rebound effort.

“Si Glenn sobrang mabait na import. Nakikinig sa lahat. Walang reklamo, trabaho lang. Masipag din.”

The Hotshots lost a gem in Jalalon. They also found a jewel in Robinson.

Life goes on.