Skippers advance to D-League finals

MANILA, Philippines — Marinerong Pilipino booked the first finals ticket after sweeping TIP while CEU displayed its never-say-die spirit anew with a big win over BRT Sumisip Basilan – St. Clare to forge a semifinals rubber match in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Paco Arena in Manila yesterday.

The Skippers clobbered TIP, 96-79, to advance to the finals against the survivor of the other semis pairing between St. Clare and CEU, which was dragged into a winner-take-all Game 3 following the Scorpions’ huge 83-68 victory.

New acquisition Byron Villarias fired seven treys to finish with 25 points while Jhonard Clarito, William McAloney and Santi Santillan added 13, 11 and 10 markers, respectively, for Marinerong Pilipino, which barged into the finals for the first time in franchise history.

“We’re happy to be in the finals for the first time but we’re not contended yet as winning the championship remains the ultimate goal for us,” said head coach Yong Garcia after the Skippers used a searing third-quarter assault to turn a close 61-58 lead into a huge 78-58 spread entering the final canto.

Christian Daguro ang Senegalese center Papa N’Diaye racked up 17 and 16 markers, respectively, for the Engineers, whose Foundation Cup run came to an end.

The scores:

First Game

Marinerong Pilipino 96 – Villarias 25, Clarito 13, McAloney 11, Santillan 10, Poligrates 7, Reverente 7, Rios 7, Solis 5, Diputado 4, Yee 3, Alabanza 2, Mangahas 2, Ilagan 0.

TIP 79 – Daguro 17, Ndiaye 16, Carurucan 15, De Mesa 9, Ceñal 8, Santos B. 5, Tumalip 4, Tan 3, Monte 2, Pinca 0.

Quarterscores: 23-21, 47-40, 78-58, 96-79

Second Game

CEU 83 – Diouf 20, Guinitaran 19, Santos 17, Diaz 14, Bernabe 6, Sanga 3, Tagal 2, De Ocampo 2, Tuadles 0.

BRT Sumisip Basilan-St. Clare 68 – Bautista 11, Fontanilla 10, Dumapig 9, Hallare 7, Collado 6, Batino 5, Pare 5, Rubio 5, Gabo 3, Manacho 3, Peñaredondo 3, Tiquia 1, Santos 0.

Quarterscores: 24-19, 37-33, 66-50, 83-68