Hot Skippers waylay Titans, gain quarterfinals

Games Tuesday

3 p.m. – CEU vs Racal Motors

5 p.m. – Flying V vs Batangas

MANILA, Philippines - Marinerong Pilipino cruised past AMA Online Education, 125-71, to clinch a berth in the quarterfinals of the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig yesterday.

Mark Isip and Donald Gumaru spearheaded the Skippers’ second quarter breakaway en route to the emphatic victory, their fifth straight that capped their impressive fightback after a 1-4 start to advance to the next phase in their maiden stint.

Julian Sargent finished with a game-high 20 points on a 10-for-13 clip, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals against two turnovers while Gumaru (18), Isip (15), Rey Publico (13) and Renzo Subido (10) also turned in double figures for Marinerong Pilipino.

“Maybe it prepared us. As I told the boys after going 1-4, humility comes first before pride. Hopefully we’ll bring that attitude and everything we’ve learned in our 1-4 start to the playoffs,” said Skippers coach Koy Banal.

Daniel Salonga scored 14 points, Junjun Alas added 13 markers and Mario Bonleon had 12 points for the Titans who closed out the elims with a 1-9 slate. 

No. 3 Tanduay, meanwhile, hung tough in the stretch and repulsed Racal Motors, 81-72, to build some momentum heading to the playoffs.

Renz Palma and Paul Varilla took charge in the final four minutes as the Rhum Masters pulled away from a 74-70 count on their way to posting their fifth straight win for a closing 8-2 card.

The Rhum Masters actually matched Cignal’s output but had to settle for third spot via the winner-over-the-other rule.

Von Tambeling topscored with 13 points, James Martinez wound up with 12 markers, while Palma and Varilla combined for 21 points for Tanduay, which still enjoys a twice-to-beat edge in the quarters.

Allan Mangahas shot 14 points while Mark Tallo had 10 markers for last conference’s finalist Alibaba, who fell to 3-6.

Meanwhile, Cedric de Joya sizzled with 31 points to power Batangas to a 95-88 victory over Gamboa Coffee Mix and into the quarters.

The 5-foot-6 De Joya poured in 11 of his top-scoring output in the last four minutes to anchor the Batangueños fightback from 75-81 down and into their first playoffs appearance in their second conference in the league.

De Joya added eight assists, one rebound and one steal against a turnover.