MANILA – Marinerong Pilipino Skippers kept its playoff hopes alive after an 88-85 overtime victory over Metropac-San Beda Movers in the 2019 PBA D-League at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Larry Rodriguez and Art Aquino led the way with 16 points each on Thursday while Leonard Santillan added double-double 15 points and 14 rebounds.
The Skippers improved to 4-4 win-loss slate. However, it needs to beat University of Perpetual Help Altas in its final elimination game on Tuesday, and for Far Eastern University Tamaraws to lose to Centro Escolar University Scorpions on May 23 to catch the final playoff seat.
“Sinasabi namin sa kanila, ‘yung chance wala sa kamay natin, pero ang trabaho is ‘yung natitirang dalawa nating laro. At least ‘yung chance nandyan pa,” said Skippers head coach Yong Garcia.
The Skippers got baskets early in overtime behind Santillan and Jhonard Clarito for an 84-79 lead. The Movers rallied to within 85-88 on a basket by Clint Doliguez and can force another overtime but James Canlas misfired his triple.
For the Movers which suffered its second consecutive overtime loss to slid down to 6-3 win-loss slate, Canlas fired 22 points while Doliguez racked 16 points and six rebounds.
Meanwhile, Che’lu Bar and Grill Revellers hammered AMA Online Education Titans en route to the 115-77 win. Stephen Siruma finished with 13 points while Jay-R Taganas added 12 markers.
Petron-Letran Knights finished off its elimination round assignment with a big 115-73 rout of Batangas-Emilio Aguinaldo College.
Alvin Pasaol scattered 29 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists while Jerrick Balanza chipped in 20 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, five steals, and two blocks./PN
