Marinerong Pilipino is still in the thick of the 2019 PBA D-League playoff race, outlasting Metropac-San Beda, 88-85, in overtime Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Forwards Art Aquino and Larry Rodriguez led their side with 16 points each.
Santi Santillan also uncorked a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds, including the huge trey that gave the Skippers an 84-79 advantage with 1:09 remaining.
Jhonard Clarito did his damage in the extra period with five of his 12 points coming in those final five minutes, as fellow newcomers Gab Banal, who had 10, and Mike Ayonayon, who got seven, provided key baskets for Marinerong Pilipino late.
Clint Doliguez, however, couldn’t let Metropac-San Beda down as he helped his side close in within three and even forced a stop with 14.5 seconds left. James Canlas, though, flubbed the trey that could have sent the game to second overtime as the clock 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.
Marinerong Pilipino improved to 4-4 in the Foundation Group as it needs to down Perpetual in its final elimination game on Tuesday, and for FEU to lose to CEU on May 23 to catch the final playoff seat.
On the other hand, Metropac-San Beda’s loss sent it down to 6-3 and gifted leaders CEU and Valencia City Bukidnon-SSCR the top two seeds which comes with twice-to-beat advantages in the playoffs.
Canlas fired 22 points for the Movers, while Doliguez racked 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-SBU 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.
Quarterscores: 13-12, 29-33, 50-50, 74-74, 88-85.
