Marinerong Pilipino used a balanced scoring to smother Zark’s Burger, 119-74, on Tuesday and stay in the hunt for a playoff berth in the Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League Foundation Cup at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.
The Skippers shot 59 percent from the field and scored 80 of their points in the paint on the way to their third win in seven games that tied them with idle Racal Motors for seventh and eighth spots.
Only the top six teams will advance to the playoffs but the Skippers appeared to have a good chance to make the next round with its last three games against practically lightweight opponents.
Nico Javelona tallied 17 points, John Lopez added 15 while Mark Isip, Dave Moralde, Ralph Salcedo, Donald Gumaru and Rey Publico combined for 73 points for the Skippers, who led by as many as 45 points.
“We just want to break their spirit early on, pound them, and attack them. I thought the players responded well even if we found out that Mac [Cardona] was playing today,” Marinerong Pilipino Coach Koy Banal said.
“This is a huge win for us. It gives us a chance to still make the playoffs. We just have to stay positive and continue to do the things that work for us,” Banal added.
Robby Celiz scored 16 on a woeful 5-of-19 shooting to lead out of the running Zark’s Burger which picked up its fifth straight loss and eighth in nine games.