MARINERONG Pilipino-San Beda walloped AMA Online, 119-70, to secure a playoff ticket in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup yesterday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

The Red Lions went on a slow start but flipped the switch in the second half for their fourth straight win that assured them a spot in the six-team playoffs with a pretty chance to gain an outright semifinal seat.

At 4-1, Marinero-San Beda now has an inside track to a sure finish in the Top 2, which will enjoy direct passage to the Final Four as the remaining four teams clash in the quarterfinals.

Later, Kurt Reyson fired a conference-best 36 points and dished out eight assists while Kobe Monje added 23 points as Wang’s Basketball@27 Striker-Letran gave its new coach Rensy Bajar his first win following a 100-92 conquest of Philippine Sports Performance.

James Payosing came through with 17 points, five rebounds and two steals in only 17 minutes of play to anchor the Red Lions’ blowout win.

“We started the game on a wrong foot. More than Xs and Os, it’s the attitude that we brought in the first half so we have to play with a better attitude. We have to respect our opponents and the game. ‘Yun ang naging mindset namin sa second half,” said coach Yuri Escueta, as his troops trailed 20-22 after the opening period.

Marinero-San Beda’s last assignment will be against Centro Escolar University on May 30.

“Finishing in the Top 2 would be nice but as much as possible, we want to take it one game at a time. We want to improve every game,” said Escueta after the Red Lions’ first double-digit win of the conference.

Marinero-San Beda had its first three victories decided by three points or less.

It’s a much-needed win for the reigning three-time NCAA champion after painful losses against the Red Lions on Yukien Andrada’s buzzer-beater and the Scorpions in overtime.

“Siyempre masaya kasi yung first two games namin against San Beda at CEU, talagang napakasakit. Those were winnable games for us. Hindi kami pinalad pero naging maganda kasi ‘yung ang nagturo samin paano tumibay,” said Bajar.

“Kanina nga sa last two minutes, tinitingnan ko ‘yung oras, parang ang tagal kasi gusto ko na talaga matapos para makuha na namin itong unang panalo. Masaya for our first win pero malayo pa kami.”

The Knights banked on a searing 12-1 spurt to start the payoff period and never looked back.

Dariel Bayla’s 35-point outburst went down the drain as the Gymers fell to their third loss in five games.

Reed Baclig and captain Nikon Alina had 14 points each to pace the Titans, who dropped their fourth consecutive blowouts to remain at the bottom of the standings.

The scores:

First Game

Marinero-San Beda (119) – Payosing 17, Tagala 13, Cuntapay 13, Jopia 12, Cortez 10, Tagle 10, Teruel II 10, Andrada 10, Alfaro 7, Jalbuena 7, Visser 4, Pino 4, Alloso 2, Gallego 0, Royo 0.
AMA Online (70) – Baclig 14, Alina 14, Ceniza 10, A. Cruz 9, Panlilio 6, Camay 4, Yambao 3, Fernandez 3, Cantoma 3, Del Rosario 2, Sison 2, Romero 0, K. Cruz 0, Ibo 0.
Quarterscores: 20-22, 55-40, 85-57, 119-70

Second Game

Wang’s-Letran (100) – Reyson 36, Monje 23, Guarino 11, Javillonar 9, Alarcon 7, Ariar 6, Fajardo 6, Santos 2, Cuajao 0, Go 0.
PSP (92) – Bayla 35, Velchez 12, Yutuc 11, Olegario 9, Dela Cruz 7, Acuña 7, Dino 4, Meneses 3, Castillo 2, Sumasaysay 2.
Quarterscores: 24-17, 40-38, 69-69, 100-92.