MARINERONG Pilipino pulled away in the payoff period to beat EcoOil-La Salle, 84-64, for its second consecutive PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup win yesterday at the Ynares Sports Arena.

With Juan Gomez de Liaño leading the charge, the Skippers went on a telling 17-4 run to build a commanding 25-point spread, 80-55, with 4:21 remaining.

The Green Archers, whose main man Mike Phillips was held to 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting, dropped to 1-1.

“Masaya kami na nakuha namin yung game against La Salle,” said coach Yong Garcia as Marinerong Pilipino 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,” he added.

Gomez de Liaño produced the first triple-double of the season with 27 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds. The former University of the Philippines standout also recorded three steals for the Skippers.

Later, Wangs Basketball @26-Letran dodged the upset axe with a 89-84 win over AMA Online, 89-84, to join Marinerong Pilipino on top of the standings at 2-0.

Adalem Construction-St. Clare overpowered Centro Escolar University, 96-76, to tie its victims and EcoOil-La Salle at 1-1.

Following his 23-point outburst against Apex Fuel-San Sebastian, Jollo Go also had a hand in the Skippers’ late breakaway with his 17 points on 3-of-6 three-point shooting.

Adrian Nocum added 11 points, while Kemark Cariño tallied 10 points and nine rebounds before sitting out in the second half due to a right knee injury after a collision with Joaqui Manuel late in the second period.

King Caralipio stabilized the Knights down the stretch with a double-double effort of 21 points and 10 rebounds.

“Kinausap lang namin yung players to respect our opponents,” said assistant coach Rensy Bajar as Wang’s-Letran needed a late fourth quarter spurt to recover from a 66-76.

The scores:

First game

Marinero (84) — Gomez de Liaño 27, Go 17, Nocum 11, Cariño 10, Bonifacio 8, Gamboa 7, Bonsubre 2, Pido 2, Hernandez 0, Garcia 0, Lacap 0, Agustin 0.
EcoOil-DLSU (64) — Estacio 13, Manuel 12, M. Phillips 10, Austria 9, Galman 6, Buensalida 6, B. Phillips 4, Abadam 2, Cortez 2, Blanco 0, Escandor 0.
Quarterscores: 22-23, 45-34, 63-51, 84-64

Second game

Wang’s-Letran (89) — Caralipio 21, Javillonar 17, Paraiso 12, Sangalang 9, Tolentino 8, Monje 8, Olivario 7, Bataller 5, Ariar 2, Guarino 0.
AMA Online (84) — Ceniza 19, Palana 15, R. Cruz 13, Alina 11, Yambao 9, Villamor 8, K. Cruz 7, Fuentes 2, De Vera 0, Romero 0, Temporasa 0.
Quarterscores: 26-22, 53-42, 66-72, 89-84

Third game

Adalem-St. Clare (96) — Estrada 19, Rojas 15, Sablan 13, Lopez 11, Gamboa 9, Sumagaysay 7, Ndong 6, Manacho 6, Estacio 4, Acosta 2, Tapenio 2, Decano 2, Victoriano 0, Balacaoc 0.
CEU (76) — Diaz 15, Santiago 14, Tolentino 12, Penaño 9, Ancheta 9, Ferrer 7, Santos 3, Cabotaje 3, Borromeo 2, Bernabe 2, Reyes 0, Atienza 0.
Quarterscores: 26-18, 42-37, 74-52, 96-76.