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| Billy Robles went on fire early on. PBA Media Bureau |
By Dugout Philippines
QUEZON CITY--Marinerong Pilipino routed Gamboa-St. Clare, 99-83 to clinch a playoff seat in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup at JCSGO Gym.
Billy Robles steered the Skippers to their sixth straight victory with his 19 points, including 13 in the first half that set the tone of the rout.
Alvin Pasaol tallied 12 markers and grabbed nine rebounds, Rian Ayonayon chipped in 11 points and Vince Tolentino had 11 markers for the Skippers, who dominated the game from the get go.
More important, Marinerong Pilipino stayed in the race for an outright semi-final spot with its 7-2 record that earned it a tie with Akari-Adamson at second place.
In the other game, CEU defeated Wangs Basketball-Letran, 79-75, to bolster its bid for an outright semi-final berth.
"We're on a roll and we want to keep on rolling going to the playoffs. Hopefully, we can bring this winning attitude going to our next games," said coach Coy Banal, overwhelmed by their 16-point victory.
The Skippers got off to a strong start, posting a 15-point advantage late in the first quarter and never gave the Coffee Lovers any opportunity to get in the grove. They led by as many as 30, 66-36, on a three by a Robles early in the third.
Aris Dionisio led Gamboa Coffee Mix-St. Clare 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Chris Bitoon, Trevis Jackson, and Mohammed Pare tallied 13 points apiece but couldn't save the Coffee Lovers from absorbing their fifth loss in nine games.
The Scores:
First Gamne
MARINERONG PILIPINO 99 -- Robles 19, Pasaol 12, Ayonayon 11, Tolentino 11, Banal 9, Babilonia 6, Ebona 6, Inigo 5, Terso 5, Lopez 4, Subido 4, Tratter 4, Toth 3, Brill 0.
GAMBOA COFFEE MIX-ST. CLARE 83 -- Dionisio 17, Bitoon 13, Jackson 13, Pare 13, Fontanilla 7, Hallare 6, Rubio 6, Acuno 4, Rebugio 4, Alcober 0.
Quarters: 31-18, 56-32, 80-55, 99-83.
Second Game
CEU 79 — Wamar 26, Arim 13, Veron 13, Manlangit 7, Guinitaran 6, Caballero 5, Fuentes 5, Cruz 4, Aquino 0, Chan 0, Opiso 0, Saber 0, Uri 0.
WANGS BASKETBALL-LETRAN 75 — Balanza 25, Quinto 16, Muyang 13, Calvo 9, Ambohot 4, Fajarito 4, Publico 4, Balagasay 0, Batiller 0, Mandreza 0, Taladua 0, Yu 0.
Quarters: 26-12, 45-32, 59-59, 79-75.
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