Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda got their acts together in the third quarter and went on to scuttle Keanzel Basketball 127-67 on Monday in the quarterfinals of the 2024 PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup at the Filoil EcoOil Center in San Juan.
Nygel Gonzales tallied 17 points to lead six others in double-digit scoring for the Red Lions, who asserted themselves early on but needed a big run in the third to shut down their upset conscious opponents.
Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda advanced to the semifinals against the Centro Escolar University Scorpions, who inflicted their first loss in the tournament.
The best-of-three series start Thursday.
"Welcome situation for us 'yung tough loss namin against CEU. I want to see how we will react in the semis," said San Beda coach Yuri Escueta on their rematch against the Scorpions.
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Against a team they beat by 59 points in the classification round, Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda needed their A-1 game in the third quarter to weather Keanzel Baskteball's fightback in the second period.
Marinerong Plipino-San Beda seized control right away by taking a 25-7 advantage after the first quarter and 30-15 early in the second.
But Keanzel Basketball held on and battled back behind the sniping of Denzel Jensen Wong to pull within 33-39 late in the second quarter.
Wong scored 16 points in the period on 5-of-10 field goal shooting including 4-of-7 from three as Keanzel Basketball outscored Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda, 26-19 in the second.
"Di kami makaka-shoot 'nung umpisa but our shots finally fell sa second half and we're able to make stops," explained Escueta, looking forward to their semifinal meeting against the Scorpions.
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A 17-8 San Beda spurt to open the third quarter put away Keanzel Basketball for good, 60-4. The lead ballooned to as big as 82-51 entering the payoff period.
Alfred Gayosa finished with 26 points and Wong added 18 for Keanzel Basketball which finish their campaign without a win in six games. (JBU)
The Scores:
Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda 127 - Gonzales 17, Tagala 14, Payosing 13, Celzo 13, Calimag RC 12, Tagle 10, Songcuya 10, Torres 8, Jalbuena 7, Estacio 5, Andrada 5, Royo 5, Puno 4, Sajonia 4, Calimag Richie 0.
Keanzel Basketball 67 - Gayosa 26, Wong 18, Ceniza 11, Panlilio 4, Baclig 3, Calacalsada 2, Villamor 2, Ibo 1, Romero 0, Alina 0, Advincula 0, Villaflor 0, Maurillo 0.
Quarterscores:25-7, 43-33, 83-52, 127-67.
