Mac Baracael

Amateur career

Baracael previously played for MSEUF before transferring to Far Eastern University in 2006. Known as "Macmac," he joined the FEU Tamaraws senior team after serving his residency, valued for his agility, one-on-one defense, and outside shooting. On July 24, 2008, he was shot by an unidentified assailant while walking outside the FEU campus near a PhilTrust Bank branch at the corner of Morayta and R. Papa St. He was with teammates Ron Cabagnot and Robert Kave when two gunshots were fired.

One bullet struck the left side of his back and exited from the lower portion of his nipple. Baracael was taken to Mary Chiles Hospital and later transferred to Capitol Medical Center. The shooting was believed to be related to a game-fixing issue he had reported to FEU management, though motives remain unknown.

PBA career

Mac Baracael was one of 34 rookies who entered the PBA draft alongside fellow applicant JVee Casio. Alaska selected him with the sixth overall pick, and he signed a three-year contract.

In his first professional game, Baracael led Alaska in scoring with 20 points, adding 2 rebounds and 3 assists, though the team fell 83–72 to the Barangay Ginebra Kings. A five-team, ten-player trade in January 2013 sent him to Ginebra. Later, on September 28, 2015, a three-team deal involving the Star Hotshots moved him to the Barako Bull Energy. On May 5, 2016, the Phoenix Fuel Masters traded Baracael and Emman Monfort, along with a 2018 second-round pick, to the NLEX Road Warriors for Simon Enciso and Mark Borboran.

Did You Know?

• Baracael was part of the Smart Gilas national team alongside FEU teammates Mark Barroca and Aldrech Ramos.
• He led Smart Gilas in scoring to help the team finish second in the 22nd Dubai Invitational Basketball Tournament.