MARINERONG Pilipino moved a win away from a return trip to the 2022 PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup Finals, disposing off Apex Fuel-San Sebastian, 74-66, in Game One of their best-of-three semifinals series Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Juan Gomez de Liano ignited the Skippers' early 21-8 assault that set the tone for the handy win and led by as much as 17 points, 72-55.
The University of the Philippines playmaker led the way with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists as Marinerong Pilipino aims to make it back to the championship series after finishing as runner-up in the 2019 Foundation Cup.
Arvin Gamboa chimed in 15 points, five boards, two assists, and two blocks, Jollo Go scored 14, and Adrian Nocum nabbed 12 points and seven rebounds for the Skippers.
"We're happy sa mga players kasi na-execute namin ng maayos yung gameplan namin. Pero Game One pa lang ito and hopefully sa Game Two, maka-execute ulit kami," said coach Yong Garcia as his side shot 43-percent from the field.
Sponsored content:
Game Two is on Sunday.
The top-seed Golden Stags leaned on Ichie Altamirano's 12 points, five rebounds, and two steals in the defeat.
The Scores:
Marinerong Pilipino 74 -- Gomez de Liano 16, Gamboa 15, Go 14, Nocum 12, Soberano 7, Carino 6, Bonifacio 2, Manlangit 2, Garcia 0, Bonsubre 0, Pido 0.
Apex Fuel-San Sebastian 66 -- Altamirano 12, Villapando 11, Felebrico 11, Sumoda 8, Calahat 7, Desoyo 7, Escobido 4, Shanoda 4, Are 2, Suico 0, Yambing 0, Garcia 0.
Sponsored content:
Quarters: 21-8, 39-31, 59-46, 74-66.
