Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda kept AMA Online below in the team standings following a 119-70 romp and secured a playoff ticket in the 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup on Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Red Lions started slow but turned up the heat in the second half, resulting in their fourth straight win, assuring them a spot in the quarterfinals with a good chance of securing an outright semifinal berth.
With a 4-1 record, the Red Lions can secure an outright semifinal spot with a victory in their last game against Centro Escolar U.
James Payosing tallied 17 points, five rebounds, and two steals in 17 minutes, anchoring San Beda’s blowout win.
Gavril Tagala (13), Damie Cuntapay (13), Clifford Jopia (12), Jacob Cortez (10), Emmanuel Tagle (10), Alex Teruel II (10), and Yukien Andrada (10) also shone for the Red Lions.
“We started the game on the wrong foot. More than Xs and Os, it’s the attitude that we brought in the first half, so we have to play with a better attitude. We have to respect our opponents and the game. That was our mindset in the second half,” said San Beda coach Yuri Escueta.
“Finishing in the Top 2 would be nice, but as much as possible, we want to take it one game at a time. We want to improve every game,” he added.
AMA stormed to an early 11-4 lead, while San Beda came out flat. But the Red Lions slowly picked up their rhythm, and by halftime, they enjoyed a 55-40 advantage.
Reed Baclig and Nikon Alina had 14 points each to pace the Titans, who suffered their fourth consecutive defeat in as many games.
The Scores:
Marinero-San Beda 119 – Payosing 17, Tagala 13, Cuntapay 13, Jopia 12, Cortez 10, Tagle 10, Teruel II 10, Andrada 10, Alfaro 7, Jalbuena 7, Visser 4, Pino 4, Alloso 2, Gallego 0, Royo 0.
AMA Online 70 – Baclig 14, Alina 14, Ceniza 10, A. Cruz 9, Panlilio 6, Camay 4, Yambao 3, Fernandez 3, Cantoma 3, Del Rosario 2, Sison 2, Romero 0, K. Cruz 0, Ibo 0.
Quarterscores: 20-22, 55-40, 85-57, 119-70.
