Skippers overcome Movers in extra play, stay alive

MANILA, Philippines — Marinerong Pilipino held on in overtime to thump Metropac-San Beda, 88-85, and stay in the hunt for a quarterfinal seat in the PBA D-League at the Ynares Sports Arena yesterday.

The Skippers, on the verge of eliminations, scored the first five points in the extra period and preserved their lead to the finish to move up to a share of fifth spot with Diliman College at 4-4 in the Foundation Group.

Later in the day, Che’Lu Bar and Grill saw off AMA Online Education with a 115-77 beating to move up to joint fifth at 5-3 and boost its playoff bid.

“We kept on telling the players that the chance is no longer in our hands but we will still work in our remaining games. At least, the chance is still there,” said Marinerong Pilipino coach Yong Garcia.

The Skippers need to beat Perpetual Help (ninth at 2-5) on Tuesday and hope for a Far Eastern U (fourth at 5-3) loss to Centro Escolar U (joint first with Valencia City, Bukidnon-San Sebastian at 6-1) on May 23 to make it to the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Petron-Letran whipped ousted Batangas-Emilio Aguinaldo College, 115-73, to enhance its own playoff aspirations.

The Knights wrapped up their elims campaign with a 6-3 mark  in the Aspirants’ Group but would have to hope for a loss by Go For Gold-College of Saint Benilde (fifth at 5-3) in its last match and for Che’Lu Bar and Grill (sixth at 4-3) to also yield one of its final two games to secure a quarterfinal spot.