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MANILA, Philippines-Jollo Go and Juan Gomez de Liaño conspired in steering Marinerong Pilipino to an 86-74 victory over Apex Fuel-San Sebastian for its first win in the 2022 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Go, a third round selection by Converge in the PBA Season 47 Draft, went 6-of-12 from rainbow country and finished with 23 points, four rebounds and 10 assists while Gomez de Liano pumped in 20 points, seven boards, and seven assists in his first game back in the country.
Warren Bonifacio chipped in 10 points and six rebounds to lead the charge for the Mapua core.
“I’m happy that we got our first win but still, we had a lot of lapses that we need to correct so hopefully in the coming games we’re able to cut down on that,” said coach Yong Garcia in Filipino as Marinerong Pilipino committed 21 turnovers including 14 from the pair of Go and Gomez de Liano.
Marinerong Pilipino took an early 16-point lead but San Sebastian rallied and chopped the deficit to, 71-67, with 7:01 left.
Marinero’s backcourt duo countered with a 10-0 assault that stretched the lead to 81-67 lead with 2:41 remaining to cruise to the hard-fought win.
In the first game, Michael Phillips was just unstoppable down low, guiding EcoOil-La Salle to a 30-point blowout of Builders Warehouse-UST, 112-82.
The Fil-Am forward was a beast in the paint as he finished with 23 points, 13 rebounds, three blocks, and two assists to power the Green Archers to their first win. Five other players scored in double figures.
His brother Ben Phillips collected 16 points, eight boards, and two assists, CJ Austria chimed in 15 points and five rebounds, and Joaqui Manuel tallied a double-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and five dimes.
“To be honest, coming into this game I was kind of worried because we’ve been playing with nine to 10 guys. But the boys really played hard and ran the things we’re supposed to run,” said coach Derick Pumaren.
EcoOil-La Salle was ruthless from the get-go, taking the 32-15 opening lead before stretching that spread to its biggest at 36 numerous times in the third frame thanks to its 61-percent field goal shooting.
The Scores:
First Game:
EcoOil-La Salle 112 — M. Phillips 23, B. Phillips 16, Austria 15, Manuel 13, Estacio 11, Galman 10, Buensalida 9, Cortez 6, Escandor 5, Blanco 4.
Builders Warehouse-UST 82 — Cabanero 21, Concepcion 19, Baclaan 18, Manaytay 7, Santos 5, Herrera 5, Crisostomo 2, Lazarte 2, Jalbuena 2, Manalang 1, Pangilinan 0, Mantua 0, Canoy 0.
Quarters: 32-15, 61-30, 95-62, 112-82.
Second Game:
Marinerong Pilipino 86 — Go 23, Gomez de Liano 20, Bonifacio 10, Nocum 8, Gamboa 7, Carino 6, Hernandez 4, Garcia 4, Agustin 4, Lacap 0, Pido 0.
Apex Fuel-San Sebastian 74 — Altamirano 17, Escobido 13, Desoyo 10, Calahat 7, Yambing 7, Concha 5, Una 5, Sumoda 4, Shanoda 2, Ventura 2, Suico 2, Felebrico 0, Cosari 0.
Quarters: 25-13, 45-35, 66-58, 86-74.