Skippers make semis

If we stay healthy and complete, I think we have a good chance this conference.

ELOY Poligrates and Marinerong Pilipino coast to the semifinals of the PBA D-League.

Marinerong Pilipino flaunted its strength as it dominated AMA Online Education, 100-78, to advance to the semifinals of the Philippine Basketball Association D-League yesterday at the Ynares Sports Arena.

Eloy Poligrates lit the scoreboard while Mark Yee and Jay-R Alabanza chipped in significant numbers for the Skippers, who pushed prolific Aaron Black and the Titans out of the championship race.

Poligrates, who once scored 67 points in an official game, was at his best, delivering 19 points, three rebounds, three steals and three assists while Yee and Alabanza added 13 and 12 markers, respectively, and a combined 14 rebounds for Marinerong Pilipino.

Byron Villarias and Jhonard Clarito also had 11 points apiece while Rev Diputado added 10 markers.

“I’m thankful to the players because they really worked hard for this game,” said Marinerong Pilipino coach Efren Garcia, whose wards posted a 91-82 win over the Titans in their first meeting.

“I’m really happy, but hopefully we can work for it again and reach the finals. If we stay healthy and complete, I think we have a good chance this conference.”

With the win, Marinerong Pilipino becomes the first team in the semifinals and now waits for the survivor between Technological Institute of the Philippines and Black Mamba Energy Drink, whom it will face in a best-of-three affair in the next round.

Black, an Ateneo standout, fired 22 points, 14 rebounds and five assists while Vince Tolentino added 13 points and Andrei Paras finished with a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Titans, who kissed their title hopes goodbye.