MANILA – Marinerong Pilipino Skippers regained its form in the fourth quarter to defeat EcoOil-DLSU Green Archers, 72-67, in Game 1 of the 2022 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup finals on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After seeing its early 12-point lead turned to a 52-51 deficit after three quarters, the Skippers opened the fourth period with consecutive points from Ilonggo Jeric Pido, Adrian Nocum and Warren Bonifacio for a 56-52 lead.
The Green Archers rallied back and forced deadlock several times with last at 60-all before the Skippers regained a 68-64 upperhand on baskets from Nocum, Arvin Gamboa and Juan Gomez de Liano with 13 seconds left.
The Green Archers made its last push at 67-68 after a three-pointer by Evan Nelle but two free throw conversions each by Jollo Go and Gamboa secured the victory for the Skippers.
Nocum finished the game with 22 points, with 10 coming in the opening quarter, as the Skippers moved closer to its first-ever PBA D-League title as they took a 1-0 lead the best-of-three series.
Go and Gamboa contributed 15 and 14 markers, respectively, while Gomez de Liano hauled 14 rebounds to go with nine points, seven assists and four steals for Marinerong Pilipino.
The Skippers waxed hot early behind outside conversions from Go and fastbreak attacks from Nocum to surge to its biggest lead of 24-12 via a triple by Jan Manlangit at the onset of the second quarter.
Both teams struggled for their points for most part of the second quarter until the Green Archers made some headways to trim the deficit to 21-29 but back-to-back layups by Nocum restored a double-digit lead for the Skippers at the half.
Marinerong Pilipino were still ahead by double figures with two minutes into the third quarter but EcoOil-DLSU mounted a huge run behind Deschon Winston and Cyrus Austria to finally take a 52-51 advantage.
Winston top-scored with 21 points, including three outside conversions, Austria added 15 markers, while Michael Phillips grabbed 16 rebounds to go with seven points and three assists for the Green Archers.
BOX SCORE:
MARINERONG PILIPINO 72 – Nocum 22, Go 15, Gamboa 14, Gomez de Liano 9, Bonifacio 5, Pido 4, Manlangit 3, Soberano 0, Carino 0, Hernandez 0, Garcia 0.
ECOOIL-DLSU 67 – Winston 21, Austria 15, Quiambao 9, Nelle 8, M. Phillips 7, Estacio 4, B. Phillips 3, Manuel 0, Cortez 0, Escandor 0, Buensalida 0.
Quarterscores: 21-12, 43-33, 51-52, 72-67./PN
