Jhonard Clarito shines anew as Marinerong Pilipino turns back AMA

Marinerong Pilipino gained a share of Group A leadership, downing AMA Online Education, 91-82, Thursday in the 2019 PBA D-League Second Conference at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Jhonard Clarito produced 19 points, seven rebounds, and six assists to lead the Skippers as they improved to 2-0 to tie Centro Escolar University at the top of the standings.

JR Alabanza churned out 12 points and 10 rebounds, Mark Yee also had a double-double outing with 11 points and 11 rebounds, as Eloy Poligrates and Dan Sara had 11 markers each in the balanced attack for Marinerong Pilipino.

The Skippers uncorked an 18-4 blitz abridging the second and third quarters to turn a narrow five-point lead, 40-35, to a commanding 18-point advantage, 58-39, with 7:57 left in the frame.

AMA, however, fought back and knocked to within just nine, 89-80, with 1:26 to go, but Yee shut the door on the Titans as calmly sank his free throws with 47.2 seconds left to play.

“Medyo may fatigue factor dahil yung mga players namin, meron silang game kagabi. Tingin ko yung fatigue ngayon lumabas. Maswerte na lang kami na nanalo,” said coach Yong Garcia as the likes of Mark Yee and Dan Sara played in the MPBL last night.

Dennis Santos powered AMA with 30 points and eight rebounds, his second straight 30-point game in the tilt.

Aaron Black failed to nab a triple-double this time out, no thanks to Marinerong Pilipino’s hounding defense but he still finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists.

“Medyo maganda yung dinepensa namin kay Aaron Black,” said Garcia. “Pero marami pa rin siyang nagawa. Hopefully ‘pag may nakaharap kaming ganyang klaseng player, ma-limit pa namin.”

AMA dropped to a 1-2 win-loss slate.

The Scores:

Marinerong Pilipino 91 –– Clarito 19, Alabanza 12, Poligrates 11, Sara 11, Yee 11, Ilagan 9, McAloney 6, Jamon 4, Diputado 3, Saguiguit 3, Arim 2, Solis 0, Rios 0, Juanico 0.

AMA 82 — Santos 30, Parcero 13, Black 12, De Leon 9, Fuentes 8, Tolentino 6, Estibar 2, Alina 2, Asuncion 0, Germino 0, Martin 0, Saor 0, Catorce 0, Rodriguez 0.

Quarterscores: 34-24, 50-37, 74-61, 91-82.