Mark Isip. PBA IMAGES
Marinerong Pilipino completed its dream voyage to the 2017 PBA D-League Foundation Cup playoffs with an emphatic 125-71 sinking of AMA Online Education Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Not even the torrential rains could derail the Skippers from cruising to their fifth straight win as they ended their maiden eliminations campaign with a 6-4 record.
Mark Isip fired 11 of his 15 points in the second quarter pullaway as Marinerong Pilipino escaped the clutches of the Titans after a close first quarter, 33-26, for a decisive 64-39 halftime lead. The veteran forward also added three rebounds and three assists, all coming in the first half.
Julian Sargent also made his imprint, dropping 10 of his 20 markers in the third quarter, alongside his seven boards, five dimes, and four steals, as the Skippers widened the lead to as high as 56, 121-65, late in the game.
Donald Gumaru took advantage of the extended garbage time to rack 18 points and three assists, Rey Publico got 13 markers and five rebounds, and Renzo Subido fired 10 points, two boards, and two assists against his former team.
“This is a good win for us going to the playoffs, but I always remind the players that the playoffs is a different animal and it’s a good thing that we have veterans who’ve been there before,” said coach Koy Banal.
Daniel Salonga paced his side with 14 points, three rebounds, and three assists in the swan song for AMA Online Education (1-9), while Junjun Alas got 13 markers in the defeat.
The Scores:
MARINERONG PILIPINO 125 – Sargent 20, Gumaru 18, Isip 15, Publico 13, Subido 10, Alabanza 8, Javelona 8, Javillonar 7, Marata 7, Iñigo 6, Lopez 5, Moralde 4, Gavieres 2, Salcedo 2.
AMA 71 – Salonga 14, Alas 13, Bonleon 12, Paras 9, Carpio 6, Macaranas 5, Celso 4, Tobias 4, Jordan 3, Calma 1, Magpantay 0, Malones 0.
Quarters: 33-26, 64-39, 94-51, 125-71.