Juan Gomez de Liano’s impressive triple-double performance steered Marinerong Pilipino past EcoOil-La Salle, 84-64, and to the top of the 2022 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Tuesday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The University of the Philippines playmaker stamped his class with 27 points of 4-of-10 shooting from deep, to go with 12 assists, 11 rebounds, and three steals as he guided the Skippers to their second win.
With Gomez de Liano setting the pace, Marinerong Pilipino went on a 17-4 spree to break the game wide open in the fourth quarter, turning a 63-51 lead to a commanding 25-point spread, 80-55, with 4:21 remaining.
Jollo Go also had a hand in the pullaway with his 17 points on 3-of-6 three-point shooting, while Adrian Nocum got 11 points and three boards.
Kemark Carino churned out 10 points and nine rebounds all in the first half as he was rested for the remainder of the game after suffering a right knee injury after Joaqui Manuel crashed into his leg late in the second frame.
“Masaya kami na nakuha namin ‘yung game against La Salle,” said coach Yong Garcia as the Skippers got the better end of this battle between preseason favorites. For me, credit ito sa players namin kasi na-run namin ng maayos yung gameplan namin at binigay nila yung best nila.”
In the second game, Wangs Basketball @26-Letran avoided a massive upset and took down AMA Online, 89-84.
King Caralipio stabilized the Knights down the stretch with his 21-point, 10-rebound double-double as the Bonnie Tan-coached side improved to 2-0 despite committing 19 turnovers in the game.
Paolo Javillonar chipped in 17 points and nine boards, while Brent Paraiso got 12 points, five rebounds, and four assists to escape the hot-shooting AMA, which went 12-of-41 clip from beyond the arc.