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Marinerong Pilipino stayed in the running for an outright semifinals berth after downing Perpetual, 78-66, Tuesday in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Alvin Pasaol led the Skippers with 15 points, eight rebounds, and two assists, while Gab Banal unloaded 15 markers, five boards, and four dimes.
Billy Robles continued to be a spark off the bench for Marinerong Pilipino, pouring 10 points and five rebounds, while Vince Tolentino got 10 markers, three boards, and three assists.
Skippers coach Koy Banal, though, doesn’t want to put too much thought on the playoff positioning just yet, but rather, turning his attention on the team’s progress game-by-game.
“We’re not looking at who’s at one or two. If we get that outright semifinals berth, we’ll be thankful. But if not, we’ll still have the twice-to-beat (in the quarterfinals),” he said, as the win put Marinerong Pilipino at 8-2 and assured that it won’t be dropping in the standings lower than the four-seed.
“For me, it’s still the same. We just want to keep on rolling and do whatever it takes to win the games.”
Trailing 41-40 early in the third quarter, the Skippers staged a 13-2 blast to establish a 53-43 lead before staving off the Altas in the final canto.
Prince Eze poured 16 points, 16 rebounds, and five blocks for Perpetual, which bowed out of the playoff race with its 3-7 card.
Rey Anthony Peralta added 16 markers and two boards, while Edgar Charcos had 14 points, six assists, and five rebounds in the defeat.
The Scores:
MARINERONG PILIPINO 78 — Banal 15, Pasaol 15, Robles 10, Tolentino 10, Ayonayon 5, Toth 5, Babilonia 4, Eboña 4, Iñigo 3, Terso 3, Lopez 2, Tratter 2.
PERPETUAL 66 — Eze 16, Peralta 16, Charcos 14, Aurin 11, Coronel 9, Mangalino 0, Pido 0, Precillas 0, Tamayo 0, Tiburcio 0, Villanueva 0.
Quarters: 21-20, 35-33, 55-47, 78-66.