Saints, Skippers begin title showdown

MANILA, Philippines – Marinerong Pilipino puts its unblemished record on the line today when it locks horns with BRT Sumisip Basilan-St. Clare in Game 1 of the PBA D-League Foundation Cup best-of-three finals at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Untouched in eight games on their way to the finals, the Skippers loom as the favorites to deliver the first blow in their championship duel against the Saints and move on the cusp of their first D-League crown.

Tipoff is at 3:30 p.m. with the Saints, who are coming off a close three-game semis series against CEU, aiming to ride high on the momentum to land a big upset against the Skippers.

From a string of Final Four finishes in the past five conferences since joining the D-League in 2017, the Skippers made waves this conference and sealed their first finals appearance with a loaded line-up bannered by ex-pros Mark Yee, Dan Sara and MVP frontrunner Eloy Poligrates.

They also tapped top amateurs JR Alabanza, Jhonard Clarito, Byron Villarias, Allan Mangahas, Rian Ayonayon and Santi Santillan in a bid to win it all as ordered by coach Yong Garcia.

“We’re happy to make it here to the finals but it’s not yet the end goal for us. The mission is not yet accomplished – and that is to win the championship,” said Garcia, whose wards swept TIP in the semis to complete an unbeaten run to the finale.

The Saints, who are also in their first D-League finals, figured in a marathon three-game war with the Scorpions in the semis.

“We’re the obvious underdog here,” said mentor Stevenson Tiu, who has the core of collegiate squad St. Clare to bank on with the help of a few amateurs. “But here we are. It’s time for the young guns to shine.”

Joshua Fontanilla, also a hot MVP candidate this conference, has been tasked to lead BRT’s upset bid with his St. Clare teammates Junjie Hallare and Mohammed Pare as well as amateur standouts Hesed Gabo, Alfred Batino, Jhaps Bautista and Cris Dumapig.