MARINERONG Pilipino gained a share of Group A leadership at the expense of AMA Online Education, 91-82, on Thursday in the 2019 PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Jhonard Clarito had 19 points, seven rebounds, and six assists for the Skippers, who improved to 2-0 (win-lost) record and tied Centro Escolar University at the top of the standings.
JR Alabanza churned out 12 points and 10 rebounds, Mark Yee also had a double-double outing with 11 points and 11 rebounds and Eloy Poligrates and Dan Sara had 11 markers each in the balanced attack for Marinerong Pilipino.
The Skippers uncorked an 18-4 blitz bridging the second and third quarters to turn a narrow five-point lead, 40-35, to a commanding 18-point advantage, 58-39, with 7:57 left in the frame.
AMA fought back and pulled to within 89-80 with 1:26 to go, but Yee shut the door on the Titans as he calmly sank his free throws with 47.2 seconds left to play.
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"Medyo may fatigue factor dahil yung mga players namin, meron silang game kagabi. Tingin ko yung fatigue ngayon lumabas. Maswerte na lang kami na nanalo," said coach Yong Garcia.
Dennis Santos showed the way for AMA with his second 30-point game and had eight rebounds.
Marinerong Pilipino did a good job containing Aarong Black, who managed just 12 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists.
"Medyo maganda yung dinepensa namin kay Aaron Black," said Garcia.
"Pero marami pa rin siyang nagawa. Hopefully 'pag may nakaharap kaming ganyang klaseng player, ma-limit pa namin."
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AMA dropped to a 1-2 win-lost slate.
The Scores:
MARINERONG PILIPINO 91 -- Clarito 19, Alabanza 12, Poligrates 11, Sara 11, Yee 11, Ilagan 9, McAloney 6, Jamon 4, Diputado 3, Saguiguit 3, Arim 2, Solis 0, Rios 0, Juanico 0.
AMA 82 -- Santos 30, Parcero 13, Black 12, De Leon 9, Fuentes 8, Tolentino 6, Estibar 2, Alina 2, Asuncion 0, Germino 0, Martin 0, Saor 0, Catorce 0, Rodriguez 0.
Quarters: 34-24, 50-37, 74-61, 91-82.
