May 09, 2019

Marinerong Pilipino hangs on, crushes San Beda's bid for top 2 finish

MARINERONG Pilipino stayed in the hunt for a playoff berth in the 2019 PBA D-League by outlasting Metropac-San Beda, 88-85, in overtime Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Santi Santillan tallied a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds, but none bigger than his 3-point shots with 69 seconds left in overtime to give the Skippers a 84-79 advantage that stood until the final buzzer.

Jhonard Clarito also made his presence felt, scoring five of his 12 points in the extra period while Gab Banal and Mike Ayonayon provided key baskets for Marinerong Pilipino late.

Clint Doliguez pulled Metropac-San Beda within three and the movers had a chance to force second overtime but James Canlas missed badly from long distance as time expired.

"Sinasabi namin sa kanila, yung chance wala sa kamay natin, pero ang trabaho is yung natitirang dalawa nating laro. At least yung chance, nandyan pa," said coach Yong Garcia.

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Marinerong Pilipino improved to 4-4, but more importantly stayed in contention for playoff berth in the Foundation Group.

The Skippers will advance to the next round should it win against Perpetual in its final elimination game on Tuesday and rival FEU loses to CEU on May 23.

Forwards Art Aquino and Larry Rodriguez topscored for the Skippers with 16 points each.

It was a frustrating loss for Metropac-San Beda (6-3) which its chance of finishing in the top two to earn a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

In effect, idle CEU and Valencia City Bukidnon-SSCR secured the two coveted seats. Both teams are tied at the helm with a 6-2 (win-lost) record with two games left.

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Canlas showed the way for the Movers with 22 points. Doliguez contributed 16 points and six rebounds in the defeat.

The Scores:
MARINERONG PILIPINO 88 -- Rodriguez 16, A. Aquino 16, Santillan 15, Clarito 12, Banal 10, Ayonayon 7, Asistio 6, Wamar 6, M. Aquino 0, Montalbo 0, Bunag 0, Victoria 0.

METROPAC-SAN BEDA 85 -- Canlas 22, Doliguez 16, Tankoua 14, Nelle 10, Visser 8, Bahio 5, Soberano 4, Alfaro 4, Oftana 2, Carino 0, Tagala 0, Etrata 0, Abuda 0, Cuntapay 0.

Quarters: 13-12, 29-33, 50-50, 74-74, 88-85.