Mark Barroca finished what Zav Lucero had started and lifted Magnolia to a pulsating 99-95 overtime win over NLEX and arrest a four-game slide in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig on Friday, Dec. 20.

Barroca nailed a running floater with 38.8 left to put the Hotshots ahead for good, 96-95, and ensure that the late game heroics of Lucero in regulation and overtime would not be put to waste in the tightly- contested affair.

Lucero had crucial baskets that could have won it for Magnolia in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter if not for the Kevin Alas free throws that knotted the contest at 87-all at the end of regulation.

He also kept Magnolia afloat in OT before the Barroca basket and insurance free throws from Ricardo Ratliffe finally gave them the much-needed win to improve to a 2-4 record and get enough momentum ahead of its Christmas Day clash against Ginebra.

Ratliffe led the way for Magnolia with 38 points and 19 rebounds while Lucero who had nine in the fourth and OT wound up with 14 points.

 Jerom Lastimosa had 14 while Barroca added 13 as they took turns in the backcourt rotation that was missing the services of star guard Paul Lee.

Robert Bolick had 28 points including the very first five-point play via the four-point shot in the PBA with 55.5 seconds to give NLEX the lead, 95-94.

Robert Herndon added 18 points while import Mike Watkins had 17 points and 23 rebounds in a losing effort for the Road Warriors who absorbed their third-straight loss for a 3-4 slate in the standings.