Cignal sinks Marinerong Pilipino, punches D-League Finals ticket

Raymar Jose. PBA IMAGES

Raymar Jose could not be denied as he steered Cignal HD to a return trip to the championship round with an 87-64 win over Marinerong Pilipino in Game 2 of their 2017 PBA D-League Foundation Cup semifinals series Tuesday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The SEA Games-bound forward made the most of his time for the Hawkeyes, pouring 24 points and 11 rebounds off the bench to aid his side’s quest for back-to-back titles.

Pamboy Raymundo shot 4-of-7 from rainbow country to wound up with 18 markers, four assists, and three rebounds, Byron Villarias fired 16 points built on three treys, and Jonathan Uyloan dropped 15 markers on a 4-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc as Cignal’s three-point shooting was on point all game long to keep the order despite rallies from Marinero.

“We’re happy that we made it to the Finals,” said coach Boyet Fernandez. “It was a tough conference for us. We played seven straight in three weeks, but we’re here and hopefully, we’ll finish it with a championship.”

Despite Marinero’s best efforts, it could not break through the eight-point barrier in the second half as the troika of Raymundo, Villarias, and Uyloan all connected from downtown, with the team shooting 11-of-31 from three. That allowed the Hawkeyes to gain a lead as high as 24, 84-60, courtesy of Jose’s freebies in the final 2:19.

“It’s about time that we made our three points. We really practiced hard on that. It just came out in this game and I’m really thankful to my players because coach Koy (Banal)’s adjustments were on the spot, but the kick out passes were there and I told them that if they’re open, they should take it and I’m happy that they made their shots,” said Fernandez.

Cignal now awaits the winner of the Flying V-CEU series for its date in the best-of-three Finals.

Robbie Herndon paced Marinerong Pilipino in the losing effort with 17 points and five rebounds, while Jeff Javillonar also got 17 markers and four boards.

The Scores:

CIGNAL HD 87 – Jose 24, Raymundo 18, Villarias 16, Uyloan 15, Bringas 8, Perkins 4, Cahilig 2, Apinan 0, Arboleda 0, Belencion 0, Sara 0, Sumalinog 0.

MARINERONG PILIPINO 64 – Herndon 17, Javillonar 17, Javelona 7, Subido 7, Isip 6, Alabanza 2, Iñigo 2, Lopez 2, Publico 2, Sargent 2, Gabriel 0, Gumaru 0, Marata 0, Moralde 0.

Quarters: 22-14, 39-31, 59-48, 87-64.