Barroca says patience is key as Hotshots struggle under Webb system

MANILA, Philippines -- Star veteran playmaker Mark Barroca believes patience is one virtue the Hotshots need to rediscover as they to survive under new coach Jason Webb in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup.

Now in his fifth season as a pro, Barroca admitted that winning is difficult to achieve in the post-Tim Cone era due to a number of reasons.

For one, the former Far Eastern University guard said the team had to undergo major adjustment when the team moved away from Cone’s triangle offense in favor of Webb’s more up-tempo style.

The system switch however, wasn’t rosy as the team currently languishes at ninth spot in the standings with its 2-5 win-loss record.

“Yung bagong sistema namin, may bagong pag-build din ng opensa. So far, parang di pa namin nakikita yung mga options na puwede so kailangan talaga may pasensya lang pag tinatakbo namin itong sistema,” Barroca told Philstar.com on Friday after practice.

The Hotshots have lost their last three assignments--bowing to Talk ‘N Text in Lucena, 91-86 followed by an 83-87 defeat to Meralco, before dropping a 102-107 decision to Alaska.

Star is averaging 22.3 turnovers in its last three games, a weakness that its opponents were able to exploit very well.

Despite the struggles, Barroca, who leads the team in turnovers with 3.8 per contest, believes all is not as they try to pick up the pieces against defending champion San Miguel Beermen at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“Dapat lang talaga may magbago. Sana masimulan namin (against San Miguel),” he added.

Veterans James Yap and Marc Pingris, along with Fil-Am guard Alex Mallari are also averaging close to three turnovers per contest this season.