MARK Barroca scored a game-high 25 points as Magnolia Chicken Timplados outplayed TNT Tropang Giga, 105-97, to stay alive in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Barroca went 9-of-16 from the floor — and 3-of-4 from the three-point area — in nearly 34 minutes to lead the Hotshots to a vengeful victory over the Tropang Giga that cut their series deficit to 2-3.

Barroca also finished with six rebounds, four assists and one steal.

Paul Lee, Ian Sangalang, Calvin Abueva added 16 points each for the Hotshots, who led by as many as 16 points.

Abueva also had a double-double with 10 rebounds.

Even Rome dela Rosa and Adrian Wong played their part with their defensive work on TNT gunner Mikey Williams.

“Just credit to all the players. Backs against the wall, do-or-die, but our mental toughness nandoon,”said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero in an interview posted at the official PBA website.

Victolero cited Magnolia’s defense, especially going into the last two minutes of the game.

“Talagang trinabaho namin ito from our preparations yesterday until today,”added Victolero. “We lived another day so wala kaming dapat i-celebrate because down pa rin kami sa series.”

Jayson Castro led the losing effort for the Tropang Giga with 18 points, six rebounds and five assists while Troy Rosario had 17 points.

Williams was limited to 13 points on 5-of-16 shooting in 38 minutes of action.

Roger Pogoy added 13 points.

The scores:

Magnolia (105) –Barroca 25, Abueva 16, Lee 16, Sangalang 16, Jalalon 15, Dionisio 10, Dela Rosa 3, Reavis 2, Escoto 2, Wong 0.
TNT (97) — Castro 18, Rosario 17, Erram 16, M.Williams 13, Pogoy 13, Khobuntin 12, K.Williams 6, Montalbo 2, Reyes 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.
Quarterscores: 28-26, 59-45, 81-73, 105-97.

Games Sunday:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:30 p.m. — San Miguel vs. Meralco
6:30 p.m. — Magnolia vs TNT