MANILA, Philippines – Wangs Basketball caught a big fish in Marinerong Pilipino as it scored a 88-78 win in the 2019 PBA D-League on Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Arvin Tolentino poured 32 points on a 3-of-7 shooting from distance, alongside 12 rebounds and four blocks to help the Couriers rise to 2-1 in the Foundation Group.
However, the troika of Gelo Vito, Darius Estrella and Radge Tongco perfectly colluded for Wangs in halting Marinerong Pilipino's two-game win run with a stupendous defensive job in the fourth quarter.
Locking down on defense, the Couriers forced the Skippers to miss their first eight shots as they staged a 13-0 tear to swing the game from a 58-57 lead to a commanding 71-57 edge with 6:31 left on the clock.
Not even Felix Apreku and Jed Mendoza's heroics could stop Wangs as Tolentino punctuated the win with a tough and-one over Art Aquino to made it a 10-point affair anew, 80-70 with 2:32 left.
Vito wound up with 10 points, seven rebounds, and four assists off the bench, Estrella chipped in 10 points and five boards, and Tongco had 11 points and three assists in the win for the Couriers.
"Malaking isda ang Marinero. Napakalaking bagay sa amin na napaghandaan namin ang team nila," said coach Pablo Lucas.
Orlan Wamar topped the Skippers with 25 points on a 5-of-9 shooting from distance as Apreku registered a double-double of 14 points, 16 rebounds, and two assists.
The defeat sent Marinero down to an even 2-2 record.
The scores:
WANGS BASKETBALL 88 – Tolentino 32, Tongco 11, Estrella 10, Vito 10, Inigo 10, De Mesa 4, Santos 3, Lim 3, Gerero 3, Lucas 2, Bulawan 0, Singontiko 0.
MARINERONG PILIPINO 78 – Wamar 25, Apreku 14, Asistio 12, Mendoza 5, Santillan 4, M. Aquino 4, Reyes 3, Bunag 3, Bonifacio 2, Montalbo 2, Victoria 2, A. Aquino 2, Aguirre 0, Gamboa 0.