Marinerong Pilipino sails to playoffs, caps comeback by sinking AMA

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.

“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.

Mark Isip fired 11 of his 15 points in the second quarter pull-away as Marinerong Pilipino erected a decisive 64-39 halftime lead. The veteran forward also added three rebounds and three assists, all coming in the first half.

Julian Sargent dropped 10 of his 20 markers in the third quarter as the Skippers widened the lead to as high as 56, 121-65, late in the game.

Tanduay, meanwhile, continued to gain steam and tripped Racal Motors, 81-72, for an 8-2 slate.

Von Tambeling led the Rhum Masters’ balanced attack with 13 points, while James Martinez added 12 markers.