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Cignal HD derailed Marinerong Pilipino’s dream voyage with an 86-67 rout Thursday to gain a 1-0 lead in their 2017 PBA D-League Foundation Cup semifinals series Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Possibly playing his final game before leaving for the 2017 Southeast Asian Games, Raymar Jose imposed his presence and uncorked 17 points and eight rebounds off the bench to lead his side to the win.
“I’m really thankful for Raymar. I had to play him for the whole of the third quarter and he did his job for us,” said coach Boyet Fernandez.
Jason Perkins provided the stability for the Hawkeyes as he scattered 13 markers, 18 boards, three assists, one steal, and one block, Byron Villarias had 13 points, four rebounds, and three dimes, and Oping Sumalinog got 12 markers and four boards as the Hawkeyes starters jumped to an early 34-14 first quarter lead and never looked back.
“I’m really happy that the starters stepped up on defense. We’re pressured enough to play at our best today given the fact that we haven’t played for a long while. But credit to my boys again. They really played their hearts out today,” said Fernandez.
Showing no rust from their three-week layoff, Cignal controlled the tempo of the game and even led by high as 24, 62-38, at the 2:54 mark of the third quarter.
But as always, the Skippers woke up from their slumber late and made a huge push in the fourth period, cutting the deficit to as low as 12, 75-63, after a Julian Sargent bucket.
Unfortunately, the Skippers’ late-game magic was no match for Cignal’s end game poise, with Jose, Sumalinog, and Villarias icing the game down the stretch.
The Hawkeyes can close the deal out on Tuesday for Game 2, still at Ynares Sports Arena.
Pao Javelona paced Marinerong Pilipino with 11 points, while Sargent and Renzo Subido both got eight markers apiece as they saw the end of the Skippers’ seven-game winning run.
The Scores:
CIGNAL HD 86 – Jose 17, Perkins 13, Villarias 13, Sumalinog 12, Arboleda 6, Bringas 6, Cahilig 6, Raymundo 5, Batino 4, Sara 4, Apinan 0, Uyloan 0.
MARINERONG PILIPINO 67 – Javelona 11, Sargent 8, Subido 8, Moralde 7, Herndon 6, Lopez 6, Iñigo 5, Marata 5, Alabanza 3, Isip 3, Javillonar 3, Gabriel 2.
Quarters: 34-14, 48-29, 65-45, 86-67.