Poligrates lifts Marinerong Pilipino to D-League semis

CEBUANO guard Eloy Poligrates continues his resurgence as he led the Marinerong Pilipino Skippers to the semifinals with a dominant 100- 78 win over AMA in the 2019 PBA D-League Foundation Cup quarterfinals on Thursday, September 12 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Poligrates, a native of Poro in Camotes, led six different Skippers in double-figures as he had 19 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals in the win that pushed the Skippers back to the semis after missing it last conference.

Mark Yee produced 13 points and six rebounds, while JR Alabanza added 12 points and eight boards. Byron Villarias and Jhonard Clarito also had 11 points apiece and former Ateneo de Cebu standout Rev Diputado added 10 markers for Marinerong Pilipino.

From a close 17-14 lead in the opening quarter, Poligrates and Yee sparked a scintillating 15-0 blast that gave the Skippers a 32-14 advantage early in the second frame.

Marinerong Pilipino led by as many as 26, 68-42, after a Yee bucket with 4:49 left in the third canto before cruising to the easy victory.

The Skippers now await the winner between Group B squads Technological Institute of the Philippines and Black Mamba Energy Drink for their foes in the best-of-three semis affair.

Aaron Black ended his PBA D-League campaign with 22 points, 4 rebounds, and five dimes to lead AMA.

The Scores: MARINERONG PILIPINO (100) Poligrates 19, Yee 13, Alabanza 12, Clarito 11, Villarias 11, Diputado 10, Reverente 8, McAloney 6, Santillan 4, Rios 4, Mangahas 2, Sara 0, Ilagan 0.

AMA (78) Black 22, Parcero 15, Tolentino 13, Paras 12, Fuentes 5, Alina 5, De Leon 4, Asuncion 2, Estibar 0, Catorce 0, Limpin 0, Austria 0.

Quarters: 24-14, 52-34, 75-49, 100-78. (SunStar Cebu)