Skippers demolish Engineers for finals spot

Marinerong Pilipino swamped Technological Institute of the Philippines on Monday, 96-79, to sweep its way to the 2019 PBA D-League Foundation Cup Finals at Paco Arena in Manila.

Byron Villarias buried seven treys for the Skippers to finish with 25 points, including eight in a decisive 17-0 run that turned a slim 61-58 lead to a 78-58 edge to end the third period.

Jhonard Clarito produced 13 points, William McAloney had 11 points and seven rebounds, and Santi Santillan chipped in 10 points in the victory.

“We’re happy that we’re in the finals, but we will be happier if we win the championship,” said coach Yong Garcia in Filipino after Marinerong Pilipino sealed its first-ever Finals appearance.

The dam eventually broke in the payoff period as the Skippers enjoyed a lead as big as 28 points, 92-64, following a Jordan Rios bucket with 6:36 left.

Marinerong Pilipino now awaits the winner between Centro Escolar University and BRT Sumisip Basilan-St. Clare in the other semis bracket for a foe in the best-of-three title series.

Christian Daguro paced the Engineers with 17 points.

The Scores:

MARINERONG PILIPINO 96 — Villarias 25, Clarito 13, McAloney 11, Santillan 10, Reverente 7, Rios 7, Poligrates 7, Solis 5, Diputado 4, Yee 3, Mangahas 2, Alabanza 2, Ilagan 0.

TIP 79 — Daguro 17, Ndiaye 16, Carurucan 15, De Mesa 9, Cenal 8, B. Santos 5, Tumalip 4, Tan 3, Monte 2, I. Santos 0, Pinca 0.

Quarters: 23-21, 47-40, 78-58, 96-79.