Mark Isip. PBA IMAGES
Marinerong Pilipino scored a huge 83-82 victory over Wangs Basketball to remain in the playoff hunt in the 2017 PBA D-League Foundation Cup Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Julian Sargent found an open John Lopez for the go-ahead bucket with 27.6 seconds left, before the former La Salle forward made his imprint on the defensive end, halting Jon Gabriel’s potential game-winner in the waning seconds to seal the deal for his crew.
“Clearly, it was the grace of God. It was our faith that gave us the positive attitude that even though we’re down by 13 in the last four minutes, we didn’t waive and kept on believing that God will help us,” said coach Koy Banal, as the Skippers battled back from an 80-67 deficit with 4:46 to play.
Mark Isip led the Marinerong Pilipino fightback as he dropped eight of his 29 points in the fourth period, while also grabbing nine rebounds and three steals.
Lopez added 12 markers, eight boards, and three assists, JR Alabanza had none points and five rebounds, and Sargent just missed out on a double-double with his eight markers, nine boards, four assists, and four blocks.
The Skippers continued their late rally in the homestretch of the eliminations as they coasted to their third straight win to level their standing at 4-4.
Gabriel paced Wangs Basketball with 19 points and five rebounds, while Michael Juico got 17 markers, four boards, and three assists in the defeat.
The Couriers ended their campaign at 5-5, still with a chance to advance to the quarterfinals, but their fate would largely depend on the fortunes of the other teams which are still in the playoff race.
The Scores:
MARINERONG PILIPINO 83 – Isip 29, Lopez 12, Alabanza 9, Iñigo 8, Sargent 8, Subido 7, Moralde 5, Marata 4, Javelona 1, Javillonar 0.
WANGS BASKETBALL 82 – Gabriel 19, Juico 17, Herndon 15, Tayongtong 11, Habelito 6, Montemayor 6, Sorela 4, Ambulodto 2, Arambulo 2, Bitoon 0, De Chavez 0, Riley 0.
Quarters: 12-18, 40-38, 63-69, 83-82.