CAN Marinerong Pilipino finally hit pay dirt after teaming up with San Beda University this conference?
The Red Lions reached the Big Dance yesterday and moved within two wins of that elusive goal.
Bolstered by a scintillating start they sustained throughout, San Beda dumped Wangs Basketball@27 Strikers Letran 79-65 in the deciding game of their best-of-3 semifinals showdown in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
James Payosing boomed in all four of his three-point tries and notched a game-high 23 points, to go with nine rebounds and three assists, while Damie Cuntapay chipped in 11 markers and nine boards for the Lions.
Yukien Andrada also had 10 and five as the Mendiola-based cagers scored a fitting follow up to a runaway 74-51 thumping of the Knights in the second game three days ago to win the series 2-1.
The Lions will now turn their sights on what is expected to be a fiery best-of-3 title duel with defending champion EcoOil-La Salle, with coach Yuri Escueta admitting his charges will have their hands full.
“Malaki ang pasasalamat namin kay Dr. (Conrado) Oca, (Marinerong Pilipino owner), who is a San Beda alumnus kaya very happy kami for his support. Of course, gusto naming maibigay ang championship kay Dr. Oca and at the same time kay boss MVP (Manny V. Pangilinan) and sa school,” Escueta said. “Iyon naman ang plan namin kaya kami sumali dito.
“But again, walang madai and like Letran, coach Rensy really prepared his players well against us. I’m sure La Salle, probably a stronger team, kita ninyo naman kung tao sa tao and magaling si coach Topex (Robinson) kaya kailangan naming paghandaan iyon,” he added.
Game 1 of the finals is set next Thursday at the same venue.
Marinerong Pilipino is bidding to win a breakthrough crown since joining the developmental league in 2017 and is hoping its tie-up with San Beda will hack it.
The Lions enjoyed leads as much as 43-22 on a Payosing layup at the 2:18 mark of the second quarter before they took a 46-29 spread at the half.
Letran pulled to within 50-61 heading into the payoff period, but San Beda simply had an answer to every comeback bid by the Knights.
Kurt Reyson paced Letran with 19 points, four caroms, and four dimes, while Deo Cuajao and Neil Guarino combined for 23.
