By Jonas Terrado
Brothers Juan and Javi Gomez de Liano sparked Marinerong Pilipino to a 93-57 win over Karate Kid-Centro Escolar University on Tuesday in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at The Arena in San Juan.
Marinerong Pilipino’s Juan Gomez de Liano tries to get past Karate Kid-CEU’s Kurt Sunga during their PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at The Arena in San Juan. (PBA Images)
Juan scored 21 points with seven rebounds and four assists while Javi had 18 points and five rebounds to give the Skippers a convincing victory to open their title bid in the season-opening conference on a high note.
The two combined for 27 in the first half while Jordan Rios also scored 12 of his 15 in that juncture that saw Marinerong Pilipino take a 52-30 halftime lead.
Dhon Reverente scored all of his 13 points in the second half to help the Skippers keep the sizable lead till the final buzzer.
The Yong Garcia-coached Skippers, the only club team in the collegiate-flavored tournament, won convincingly despite missing former La Salle standouts Jaime Malonzo and James Laput.
Malonzo and Laput still need to submit necessary documents from the Bureau of Immigration in order to be eligible to play.
Former Adamson guard Jerie Pingoy produced 13 points but Karate Kid-CEU struggled in the debut of new coach Jeff Napa, who replaced Derrick Pumaren.
Karate Kid-CEU is also making adjustments after the transfer of Senegalese center Maodo Malick Diouf to University of the Philippines.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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