Marinerong Pilipino topped Centro Escolar University, 88-74, in an intense battle between two title favorites Monday to clinch top spot in Group A of the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Ex-pros Mark Yee and Dan Sara came through with big plays in the fourth quarter to help the Skippers pull away and finish the elimination round with a six-game sweep.
Yee scored 10 of his 14 points in the payoff period and Sara added 13 points, including a four-point play off CEU center Maodo Malick Diouf’s sixth and final foul with 1:32 left that gave Marinerong Pilipino an 82-74 lead.
William McAloney topscored with 21 points while Eloy Poligrates and Jhonard Clarito added 10 points apiece while Rev Diputdo produced seven points and five steals as Marinero arranged a quarterfinal duel with AMA Online Education.
Coach Yong Garcia’s Skippers carry a twice-to-beat advantage against the Titans, who placed fourth in Group A at 3-3.
Kurt Sunga scored 17 points and Diouf had 16 points, 17 rebounds, 10 assists, three steals and seven blocks but CEU settled for second in Group A at 5-1 and will face No. 3 Asia’s Lashes Tomas Morato carrying the twice-to-beat edge in the quarters.
Earlier, BRT Sumisip Basilan cruised past Italiano’s Homme, 138-101, to likewise sweep Group B.
Mohammad Pare and Darwin Lunor were among the eight players to score in double figures with 16 points apiece as the Saints lived up to their status as the top team of Group B by finishing the elims at 6-0.
The win served as a prelude to BRT Sumisip Basilan-St. Clare’s duel with No. 4 ranked Hyperwash in the quarters. (Jonas Terrado)
The scores:
First Game
SUMISIP-ST. CLARE 138 — Lunor 16, Pare 16, Collado 14, Fontanilla 13, Dumapig 13, Hallare 11, Santos 11, Manacho 10, Decano 6, Tiquia 5, Palencia 5, Ng 5, Rubio 5, Penarendondo 4, Bautista 4.
ITALIANO’S HOMME 101 — Pontejos 31, Munsayac 20, Bonsubre 17, Cenal 12, Roy 9, Racho 6, Villahermosa 6, Neypes 0, Cruz 0, Labastida 0, Monte 0, Colina 0.
Quarters: 29-18; 56-38; 94-57; 138-101.
Second Game
MARINERONG PILIPINO 88 — McAloney 21, Yee 14, Sara 13, Clarito 10, Poligrates 10, Diputado 7, Ilagan 5, Alabanza 4, Reverente 2, Rios 2, Solis 0, Arim 0, Jamon 0.
CEU 74 — Sunga 17, Diouf 16, Guinitaran 14, Santos 7, Tuadles 7, Diaz 4, Escalona 3, Bernabe 2, De Ocampo 2, Murillo 2, Tagal 0.
Quarters: 21-22; 44-43; 58-59; 88-74.