MARINERONG Pilipino and EcoOil-La Salle begin their PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Finals showdown today at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Both the Skippers and the Green Archers are hungry for glory as they try to gain the needed psychological advantage at 12 noon.

For Marinerong Pilipino, it’s all about redemption after finishing second to BRT Sumisip-St. Clare in the league’s most recent tournament – the 2019 Foundation Cup.

“Natuto na kami sa experience na yun. Ayaw na naming maulit yung ganoon kaya gutom lang talaga ang mga bata para sa panalo,” said coach Yong Garcia as his side hurdled the top-seed Apex Fuel-San Sebastian in the semifinals capped off by a tough 69-64 Game 3 win last Wednesday.

Magnificent all conference long, Juan Gomez de Liaño will look to replicate his excellence in the two teams’ first meeting back in July 12 where he tallied a triple-double in the Skippers’ 84-64 victory.

Also making solid contributions there are sniper Jollo Go and big man Kemark Cariño as Marinerong Pilipino try to recapture its early success and impose the same level of dominance against EcoOil-La Salle.

But this is a different Green Archers squad, one that has gotten a big jolt upon the arrivals of Kevin Quiambao, Schonny Winston, and Evan Nelle, as seen in EcoOil-La Salle’s dominant 97-74 thrashing of Adalem Construction-St. Clare in the semifinals decider.

“They’re always a tough team to face, but we have to be prepared,” said coach Derrick Pumaren, who like Garcia is making his second D-League championship appearance. “Whatever it takes, we will continue what we have to do.”

The Green Archers, who prior to the Finals opener have played two off-season games as part of their UAAP build-up, hope to have Mark Nonoy back in action after missing the last two semifinals contests.

Game Sunday:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
12 noon – Marinero vs EcoOil-DLSU

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado