Batangas, Marinerong Pilipino chase D-League playoff spots

Games Thursday

(Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig)

1 p.m. - Marinerong Pilipino vs AMA Online Education

3 p.m. - Racal Motors vs Tanduay

5 p.m. - Batangas vs Gamboa Coffee Mix

MANILA, Philippines — With playoff spots ripe for the taking, Batangas and Marinerong Pilipino both seek to grab those seats and advance to the next level when they take on different foes Thursday in the 2017 PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Six wins will clinch both teams a spot in the quarterfinals and what better way for them to get that in the penultimate day of the eliminations in a surefire action-packed triple-header.

Skippers mentor Koy Banal is still pinching himself after his side strung four straight victories to come back from almost an early exit to what is now a 5-4 record, a victory away from securing a breakthrough in only the franchise’s maiden season in the developmental ranks.

“Miracles still happen and I hope we pull off another one,” he said.

Marinerong Pilipino can do just that with a win over cellar-dweller AMA Online Education in the curtain-raiser at 1 pm, with Banal entrusting his team’s fortune to leaders Mark Isip, Julian Sargent, and Pao Javelona.

Batangueños coach Eric Gonzales has the same goal in mind as he has been firm to his wards that he will not settle for anything less than a playoff appearance this time out.

And at 5-3, he wants his crew to grab the opportunity when they take on also-ran Gamboa Coffee Mix in the 5 pm game.

“Yung makakalaban namin is very experienced and if they play with pride, any given time, kaya nilang manalo. Hopefully, we already learned our lessons and take it as our motivation going forward,” Gonzales said.

Batangas is still reeling from the departure of Joseph Sedurifa to Meralco, but is hoping to draw more contributions from mainstays Cedrick Ablaza, Jessie Saitanan, and Jhaps Bautista.

In the other game of the day, third-seed Tanduay (7-2) finishes its elimination assignment as it bets on its four-game winning streak against the underwhelming Racal Motors at 3 pm

“Parang tuneup na ito sa amin, for the players to stay sharp na rin. Yun ang gusto kong mangyari sa amin papunta ng playoffs,” said coach Lawrence Chongson.