Julian Sargent made a key assists the closing second and Marinerong Pilipino stunned Wang’s Basketball in a scrambling finish, 83-82, on Thursday to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot in the Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League Foundation Cup at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.
The Skippers showed great character in the brink of defeat and turned the game around with a suffocating defense that erased a 13-point deficit in the last four minutes.
They improved to 4-4 (win-loss) with their third straight victory and their chances of advancing to the quarterfinal looks bright with their last two games against struggling teams AMA (1-7) and Gamboa Coffee Mix (1-7).
“I kept my faith. Even though we’re down 13 in the last four minutes I didn’t waver. I believe in by players and they responded well,” said Marinerong Pilipino coach Koy Banal, visibly relieved with the win.
Mark Isip tallied a game-high 29 points and sparked a 16-2 windup highlighted by a nice pass by Sargent, who spotted John Lopez wide open in the lane for the winning basket.
Lopez was the only other Skipper in double figure with 12 points.
It was tough loss for the Couriers who appeared to have the game well under control when the posted an 80-67 advantage with 3:29 left. But the missed several opportunities that last one a wide open 3-point attempt by Robert Herndon.
Joe Gabriel scored 19 points and Michael Juico added 17 for the Couriers, who had lost back to back games and finished the eliminations with a 5-5 card.