PBA IMAGES
Marinerong Pilipino booked its ticket to the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup playoffs after steamrolling Gamboa Coffee Mix-St. Clare, 99-83, Tuesday at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.
Billy Robles anchored the charge as he fired 13 of his 19 points in the first half to help the Skippers coast to their sixth straight win.
Alvin Pasaol added 12 markers and nine rebounds, while Rian Ayonayon got 11 points, five boards, and two assists.
Vince Tolentino also contributed 11 markers, two rebounds, and two dimes for Marinerong Pilipino, which forced a three-way logjam for the pole position at 7-2 with CEU and Akari-Adamson.
“We’re on a roll and we want to keep on rolling going to the playoffs,” said coach Koy Banal. “Hopefully, we can bring this winning attitude going to the playoffs.”
The Skippers jumped on the Coffee Lovers early, establishing a 31-16 lead late in the first quarter after a Kyle Toth triple which set the tone for the remainder of the game.
Marinerong Pilipino shot 50-percent from the field and even took a 30-point lead, 66-36, with a Robles triple at the 7:11 mark of the third quarter.
It was a dominating display of basketball from the Skippers as all but one of the 14 players Banal inserted got a field goal.
Aris Dionisio paced Gamboa-St. Clare with 17 points and 10 rebounds, as Chris Bitoon, Trevis Jackson, and Mohammed Pare all had 13 markers apiece.
The Coffee Lovers remained at sixth place carrying their 5-4 card.
The Scores:
MARINERONG PILIPINO 99 — Robles 19, Pasaol 12, Ayonayon 11, Tolentino 11, Banal 9, Babilonia 6, Eboña 6, Iñigo 5, Terso 5, Lopez 4, Subido 4, Tratter 4, Toth 3, Brill 0.
GAMBOA COFFEE MIX-ST. CLARE 83 — Dionisio 17, Bitoon 13, Jackson 13, Pare 13, Fontanilla 7, Hallare 6, Rubio 6, Acuno 4, Rebugio 4, Alcober 0.
Quarters: 31-18, 56-32, 80-55, 99-83.