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PSA Forum: Marinerong Pilipino holds edge against Basilan-St. Clare in D-League finals

By Jonas Terrado

Having a talent-laden roster has given Marinerong Pilipino the advantage over BRT Sumisip Basilan-St. Clare in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup Finals which starts Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

BRT Sumisip Basilan-St. Clare team manager Jackson Chua and assistant coach Jerson Cabiltes and Marinerong Pilipino assistants Jonathan Banal and Tatti Chua join PBA D-League officials Joey Guanio and Junior Bengua during Tuesday’s PSA Forum at Amelie Hotel.

Jerson Cabiltes, lead assistant of coach Stevenson Tiu, admitted that Sumisip-St. Clare will have its hands full in the best-of-three series owing to Marinero’s roster composed mostly of top players also plying their trade in various MPBL squads.

“Medyo mahaba yung scouting list namin because they have a very deep rotation. We just gonna have to prepare for it,” Cabiltes said during Tuesday’s session of the PSA Forum at Amelie Hotel.

The Skippers are led by Most Valuable Player contender Eloy Poligrates, fellow ex-pros Mark Yee, John Villarias and Allan Mangahas, Jhonard Clarito and Santi Santillan.

Also expected to suit up is Mike Ayonayon, who has yet to see action this conference but is eligible to play in the title series.

But Skippers assistant Jonathan Banal refused to relish the perceived advantage, saying that the Saints are a team also capable of winning it all.

“Wala naman sa lineup yan. We just have to play our game the right way,” said Banal, adding that he expects the Skippers to have a hard time containing Saints import Mohammad Pare and heady guards Joshua Fontanilla and Hesed Gabo.

The hunger factor is also what drives Sumisip-St. Clare after its veteran players endured several a pair of finals defeats while playing for Che’Lu last year while Pare, Fontanilla and other St. Clare cagers were beaten by Centro Escolar University in the semifinals of the previous conference.

“We will rely on our youth at saka sobrang gutom at gusto talaga kaming manalo,” Cabiltes said.

Game 2 is slated Oct. 9 at the Cuneta Astrodome while a deciding Game 3, if necessary, will be held on Oct. 14 at the Paco Arena in Manila.

Tags: 2019 PBA D-League Foundation Cup , BRT Sumisip Basilan-St. Clare , Marinerong Pilipino