Marinerong Pilipino stays alive in D-League playoff hunt
Mark Isip. PBA IMAGES
Mark Isip ignited Marinerong Pilipino’s 119-74 blowout win over Zark’s Burgers to stay in the running in the 2017 PBA D-League Foundation Cup Tuesday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The 36-year-old forward unleashed nine of his 12 points in the first quarter and got six rebounds to help the Skippers string their first back-to-back wins.
Isip triggered Marinerong Pilipino’s early 11-0 run to pullaway, 17-7, before extending the lead to its biggest at 45 late in the game.
“We just want to break their spirit early on, pound them, and attack them. The players responded even if we found out that Mac (Cardona) was playing today,” said coach Koy Banal.
Pao Javelona was all over the court as he led the Skippers with 17 markers, seven assists, four boards, and three steals, while John Lopez just missed out on a double-double with his 15 points and nine rebounds.
The victory kept Marinerong Pilipino in the race to the top six with its 3-4 record, identical with Racal Motors, as it sits a game behind sixth placer Batangas (4-3) in the standings.
Robby Celiz paced cellar-dweller Zark’s Burgers (1-8) with 16 points, five rebounds, and four assists, while James Mangahas got 12 markers and five boards in the defeat.
Mac Cardona fired 11 points, three rebounds, and two assists in 23 minutes of play for the Jawbreakers in the first game of his comeback tour to revive his professional career.
The Scores:
MARINERONG PILIPINO 119 – Javelona 17, Lopez 15, Isip 12, Moralde 12, Salcedo 12, Gumaru 11, Publico 11, Alabanza 7, Subido 7, Iñigo 5, Sargent 4, Gavieres 4, Javillonar 2, Marata 0.
ZARK’S BURGERS 74 – Celiz 16, Mangahas 12, De Leon 11, Cardona 11, Argamino 9, Nalos 6, Bautista 5, Cudal 4, Ferrer 0.
Quarters: 27-15, 55-38, 87-57, 119-74.
