Marinerong Pilipino stuns Tanduay, enters D-League semis

Renzo Subido. PBA IMAGES

The miracle run continues for Marinerong Pilipino.

The Skippers overcame a twice-to-win disadvantage in the quarterfinals and a 10-point deficit in the final quarter to stun Tanduay, 65-64, Tuesday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig and entered to the 2017 PBA D-League Foundation Cup semifinals.

“We’ve been telling them to play the game the right way. And in the end, the wisdom was there for the players,” said a jubilant coach Koy Banal. “When we were down by 10 in the start of the fourth quarter, the doubt was setting in. But we’ve been in this kind of situation before.”

Achie Iñigo had a chance to put the nail in the coffin late but missed his runner. Luckily, Robbie Herndon was there to recover the offensive board as Marinerong Pilipino milked the clock to seal the game.

“Good thing in our last possession, we got the offensive rebound and the players spread out to run down the clock,” said Banal.

Herndon paced his side with 13 points, 13 rebounds, and two steals, including the go-ahead bucket with 2:14 to play.

Renzo Subido also stepped up for the Skippers late, unloading all of his 11 markers in the fourth quarter as he commandeered the team’s 17-2 fourth quarter comeback run.

John Lopez added 10 points and seven rebounds, while Iñigo got nine markers, three boards, and two assists.

Marinerong Pilipino completed the upset after its 74-72 Game 1 triumph last Thursday.

Riding on their seven-game winning streak, the Skippers will now brace for the best-of-three semifinals against two-seed Cignal HD on Thursday.

Jerwin Gaco topped Tanduay in the losing effort with 17 points and three rebounds, while Lester Alvarez had 11 markers, three boards, and three assists.

The Scores:

MARINERONG PILIPINO 65 – Herndon 13, Subido 11, Lopez 10, Iñigo 9, Isip 7, Sargent 6, Alabanza 4, Marata 3, Gabriel 2, Javelona 0, Javillonar 0.

TANDUAY 64 – Gaco 17, Alvarez 11, Taganas 9, Martinez 5, Tambeling 5, Palma 4, Eguilos 3, Sanga 2, Santos 2, Sollano 2, Varilla 2, Villamor 2.

Quarters: 15-20, 31-39, 46-56, 65-64.