MARINERONG Pilipino and Apex Fuel-San Sebastian secured the first two playoff berths in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup after defeating separate foes yesterday at the Ynares Sports Arena.

Juan Gomez de Liaño exploded for 31 points as the Skippers overwhelmed AMA Online, 87-49, while the Stags, behind James Una’s 17-point outing, topped Centro Escolar University, 71-62.

Raising their records to 4-1, Marinerong Pilipino and Apex Fuel-San Sebastian gained a share of the top spot after EcoOil-La Salle dealt Wang’s Basketball @26-Letran its first loss following a 94-87 win in the second game.

A former University of the Philippines guard, Gomez de Liaño went 12-of-25 from the field and produced a solid all-around game of 16 rebounds, five assists and two blocks for the Skippers.

Kevin Quiambao had an impressive debut for the Green Archers with 15 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, while Mike Phillips also had a double-double effort of 13 points and 11 boards to go with five steals.

The loss ended the Knights’ three-game winning streak.

EcoOil-La Salle moved in a tie with idle Adalem Construction-St. Clare in fourth place at 3-2.

The Skippers, who have won two in a row, are still very much in the running for the top two that comes with an outright semifinals berth.

“Maganda yung sitwasyon namin ngayon but ang focus namin is one game at a time,” said Marinerong Pilipino coach Yong Garcia.

Quiambao, coming off national team duty in the Fiba Asia Cup, uncorked 11 points in the fourth quarter, including two free throws in the final 1:38 that sealed the game for the Green Archers.

“We know what Kevin can bring to the table. He will make things happen for us and when he needed to score the basket, he made big shots,” said EcoOil-La Salle coach Derrick Pumaren

Toby Agustin added 15 points and six boards in a reserve role, while Bryan Lacap chipped in 11 points, five rebounds and three assists for the Skippers.

Playing its first game without Blackwater callup Jollo Go, Marinerong Pilipino pulled away in the second period.

The Kings, who were led by Nemesis dela Cruz’ 12 points and six rebounds, dropped their fifth straight game.

The scores:

First game

Marinero (87) — Gomez de Liaño 31, Agustin 15, Lacap 11, Garcia 6, Gamboa 6, Nocum 6, Hernandez 5, Cariño 4, Bonifacio 3, Bonsubre 0, Pido 0.
AMA Online (49) — Dela Cruz 12, Velchez 7, Fuentes 6, Gile 6, Pineda 5, D. Cruz 3, Baclig 3, Yambao 3, Kapunan 2, R. Cruz 2, Palana 0, Villamor 0, Romero 0, Ceniza 0, Camay 0.
Quarterscores: 10-15, 38-25, 63-35, 87-49

Second game

EcoOil-DLSU (94) — Macalalag 18, Quiambao 15, Estacio 14, M. Phillips 13, Manuel 11, Nwankwo 9, Buensalida 4, Cortez 4, Escandor 3, Alao 2, Abadam 1.
Wang’s-Letran (87) — Javillonar 19, Reyson 16, Paraiso 12, Caralipio 12, Sangalang 8, Yu 7, Tolentino 6, Monje 4, Lantaya 0.
Quarterscores: 16-22, 38-42, 61-62, 94-87

Third game

Apex Fuel-SSC-R (71) — Una 17, Shanoda 13, Altamirano 11, Are 8, Desoyo 6, Escobido 5, Felebrico 5, Cosari 3, Sumoda 2, Ventura 1, Calahat 0, Paglinawan 0, Suico 0.
CEU (62) — Santiago 20, Diaz 11, Bernabe 10, Santos 8, Balogun 7, Tolentino 2, Borromeo 2, Ancheta 2, Ferrer 0, Cabotaje 0.
Quarterscores: 13-15, 29-34, 53-49, 71-62.