HEALTH and safety woes nearly sidetracked Marinerong Pilipino, the lone club team in the season-opening tourney of the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup.
“Nagkaroon talaga kami ng problema noong hindi healthy iyong players pero masaya kami na kompleto (na) kami,” Skippers coach Yong Garcia said. “Ang importante, naipakita naming maganda ang itinakbo ng team.”
Garica spoke after No. 4 and twice-to-beat Marinerong Pilipino tripped fifth-ranked Centro Escolar University 75-66 last Friday in their quarterfinals battle to clinch a semifinals slot.
The Skippers’ triumph atoned for their two straight loses in the eliminations, including a 77-84 defeat at the hands of the Scorpions seven days ago and more importantly enabled them to forge a best-of-3 semis duel with top seed Apex Fuel-San Sebastian College.
Sixth seed Builders Warehouse-University of Santo Tomas negated No. 3 Adalem Construction-St. Clare’s win-once incentive in the quarterfinals after scoring a stunning 98-93 decision also last Friday.
The Growling Tigers tangle with the Saints anew in a knockout tiff on Wednesday, with the winner advancing to the semis opposite No. 2 EcoOil-La Salle.
Back after sitting out one game due to health issues, gunner Juan Gomez de Liaño led Marinerong Pilipino with 17 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and issued eight assists, while shooter Jollo Go boomed in three three-pointers to finish with 17 markers and two boards.
Arvin Gamboa also had 13 and eight, while Adrian Nocum notched a double-double of 12 points and 10 caroms for the Skippers.
Jhomel Ancheta paced CEU with 12 points, while Lenard Santiago contributed 11 markers and 11 rebounds.
