Marinerong Pilipino inches closer to D-League playoff berth

Joseph Marata. PBA IMAGES

Marinerong Pilipino continued its dream sail to the playoff round, moving a win away from clinching a spot in the 2017 PBA D-League Foundation Cup quarterfinals, crushing Gamboa Coffee Mix, 138-69 Monday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The 69-point spread set the second-most winning margin in league history, seven points shy of the 76-point record set by Tanduay against Zark’s Burgers last July 10.

Pao Javelona topped the Skippers’ all-out assault, pouring 16 points, three assists, and two rebounds as seven others scored in double-digits in the dominant victory.

Joseph Marata fired all of his 15 markers in the first half, where Marinerong Pilipino raced to a comfortable 57-41 halftime edge.

Ralph Salcedo and Renzo Subido both logged 12 points and five assists in the win.

The Skippers can book a seat to the playoffs with a victory against AMA Online Education next Thursday, and coach Koy Banal has his eyes set on that goal.

“Miracles still happen. Who knows, maybe we can pull off another miracle,” he said. “We’re hoping that we’ll be able to be smart in our preparation so that we’ll be ready for the next level.”

Marinerong Pilipino has now won its fourth consecutive game to hike its standing to 5-4.

Playing-coach Leo Avenido captained the skidding Gamboa Coffee Mix (1-8) with 24 points, while Ken Acibar poured 14 markers and nine rebounds in the team’s eighth straight defeat.

The Scores:

MARINERONG PILIPINO 138 – Javelona 16, Marata 15, Salcedo 12, Subido 12, Isip 11, Javillonar 11, Moralde 11, Publico 10, Gumaru 8, Iñigo 8, Sargent 8, Lopez 7, Alabanza 6, Gavieres 3.

GAMBOA COFFEE MIX 69 – Avenido 24, Acibar 14, David 6, Montuano 6, Parala 6, Acuña 3, Padilla 3, Jumao-as 2, Riva 2, Sarangay 2, Arellano 1, Vidal 0.

Quarters: 24-16, 57-41, 92-54, 138-69.