Marinerong Pilipino clinched a playoff spot in the 2019 PBA D-League Second Conference, defacing Asia’s Lashes Tomas Morato, 73-51, Monday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Eloy Poligrates waxed hot with his 5-of-8 shooting from rainbow country, as he powered the Skippers with 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
The Cebuano showman’s hot-shooting paved the way for Marinerong Pilipino to snag sole leadership in Group A at 4-0. One of their wins comes from the sudden pullout of Nailtalk-Savio in the developmental ranks.
JBoy Solis chipped in 11 points, while JR Alabanza tallied nine points and six boards in the Skippers’ victory.
“Masaya kami, lalo na yung management,” said coach Yong Garcia, who now sets his eyes on locking up a top-two finish ahead of the quarterfinals.
Things are just about to get harder for the Skippers, however, with a killer schedule against iWalk and CEU up next.
“Kailangan natin paghandaan yung last two games natin. Mate-test talaga kami laban sa iWalk at CEU,” he said.
James Martinez led Asia’s Lashes (2-2) with 13 points on a 3-of-6 shooting clip from threes. Meanwhile, Jeson Delfinado had nine points and four rebounds in the losing cause.
The Scores:
Marinerong Pilipino 73 — Poligrates 17, Solis 11, Alabanza 9, Clarito 8, Sara 7, McAloney 7, Yee 6, Diputado 4, Arim 2, Juanico 0, Saguiguit 0.
Asia’s Lashes Tomas Morato 51 –– Martinez 13, Delfinado 9, Dela Cruz 7, Alban 7, Apreku 5, Sarao 4, Camacho 2, Gerero 2, Celada 2, Reyes 0, Deles 0, Dumlao 0.
Quarterscores: 19-10, 38-20, 58-39, 73-51.
