October 09, 2019

Vengeful Saints force deciding Game 3

BRT Sumisip Basilan-St. Clare exacted revenge on Marinerong Pilipino with a 74-60 Game Two victory to extend the 2019 PBA D-League Foundation Cup Finals to a winner-take-all Wednesday at Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.

Jessie Collado proved to be the difference maker for the Saints, dropping 10 in the Saints' 15-5 start before finishing with 20 points and six rebounds to force the winner-take-all Game Three.

Joshua Fontanilla also made 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists, Malian slotman Mohammed Pare registered a double-double of 12 points and 10 boards, and Jhaps Bautista chimed in 11 markers for the Saints, who dominated the game throughout.

"Obviously, mas may energy kami ngayon especially on defense," said coach Stevenson Tiu, as BRT Sumisip-St. Clare forced Marinerong Pilipino to commit 17 turnovers and turned it to 26 easy points.

The Saints led by as many as 24 points, 46-22, after an Alfred Batino basket with 26.6 seconds left in the second period before cruising to the win that snapped the Skippers' 10-game winning streak and denied them a perfect conference.

Sponsored content:
Byron Villarias was the only double-digit scorer for Marinerong Pilipino with 11 markers.

The usually high-octane Skippers shot a measly 30-percent from the field, including a 4-of-19 clip from beyond the arc.

It also spoiled the coronation of conference MVP Eloy Poligrates, who only had two points in the defeat.

Game Three is on Monday at Paco Arena in Manila, with the developmental league set to crown a new champion.

The Scores:

Sponsored content:
BRT SUMISIP BASILAN-ST. CLARE 74 -- Collado 20, Fontanilla 14, Pare 12, Bautista 11, Batino 8, Gabo 4, Palencia 2, Dumapig 2, Hallare 1, Rubio 0, Penaredondo 0, Manacho 0, Tiquia 0.

MARINERONG PILIPINO 60 -- Villarias 11, Clarito 9, Yee 8, Alabanza 8, Santillan 5, Sara 5, Rios 4, Ilagan 4, Poligrates 2, Ayonayon 2, Reverente 2, Diputado 0, Mangahas 0, McAloney 0, Solis 0.

Quarters: 23-11, 46-24, 62-43, 74-60.