MARINERONG Pilipino turned on the jets in the second quarter to buck a poor start and whip Perpetual, 90-76, Tuesday in the 2019 PBA D-League at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Santi Santillan dropped 11 points in the second quarter as the Skippers fought back from an early 32-20 deficit to seize control of the game at halftime, 50-36, before firing 10 more in the payoff period to put the result beyond doubt.
He finished with 21 points and 17 rebounds as Marinerong Pilipino ended the eliminations with a 5-4 win-loss record.
Gab Banal topped the Skippers with 27 points, 12 boards, and six assists, as Art Aquino chimed in 13 points and five rebounds.
"Masaya kami, especially sa huling dalawang laro namin. Like yung sinasabi ng management, maipanalo lang namin yung natitira naming mga laro, at masaya naman ako na nakuha namin," said coach Yong Garcia.
The win not only kept Marinerong Pilipino in the running for the final playoff spot in the Foundation Group, but also puts pressure on FEU to win on its last game against CEU next week.
In the process, Diliman College-Gerry's Grill has also been booted out of the race as it owns an inferior quotient in the event of a triple-tie for the fourth spot, regardless of the result of its last game against Valencia City Bukidnon-SSCR.
Edgar Charcos led the Altas with 19 points, five assists, four rebounds, and two steals, while Jielo Razon contributed 15 points, six boards, and six dimes in the loss to fall to 2-6.
The scores:
Marinerong Pilipino 90 - Banal 27, Santillan 21, A. Aquino 13, Asistio 9, Mendoza 7, Clarito 4, Ayonayon 3, Montalbo 2, M. Aquino 2, Rodriguez 2, Wamar 0, Victoria 0.
Perpetual Help 76 - Charcos 19, Razon 15, Peralta 13, Adamos 11, Egan 6, Guissani 5, Pasia 3, Cuevas 2, Lanoy 2, Martel 0, Aurin 0, Tamayo 0, Sese 0.
Quarterscores: 20-30; 50-36; 73-58; 90-76.
