Last D-League semis slot at stake

Marinerong Pilipino thinks it has a strong shot at completing an upset of Tanduay in the 2017 PBA D-League Foundation Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday.

“Our goal from the start is to just make it to the semis and we’ll figure it out,” said Skippers coach Koy Banal. “And with the way we’re playing, the boys are willing to give their all, showing it through their actions and not by words.”

But even if the Rhum Masters blew their first try, Tanduay coach Lawrence Chongson thinks his team just got pumped up in their bid for the last semifinal berth.

The winner in the 4 p.m. knockout duel at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City will go up against No. 2 Cignal HD in the best-of-three semifinals.

Flying V, the unbeaten top seed, will tangle with Centro Escolar University in the other
Final Four pairing.

“Do-or-die games excite us,” said Chongson. “We would’ve wanted to go the easy way out, but it is what is.”

Tanduay holds a twice-to-beat advantage, so they get another shot even after bowing to Marinero, 74-72, last Thursday.

“Our opponents were able to prove that in spite of being newcomers, they’re no pushovers,” said Chongson. “So we’ll have to show them more respect.”

“We’re just as good as our last game,” said Banal. “We may be in a momentum, but Tanduay is a different kind of animal.” —JASMINE W. PAYO