Marinero aims to reach dream destination

MANILA, Philippines — After a long wait, Marinerong Pilipino aims to complete unfinished business when it shoots for the coveted crown against EcoOil-La Salle in Game 2 of the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup best-of-three finals today at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Game time is at 12 p.m. with the Skippers eyeing a date with destiny after fumbling a golden chance back in 2019 prior to the pandemic and the D-League’s eventual two-year hiatus.

Marinero swept the eliminations and barged straight into the finals in 2019 only to bow to champion BRT Sumisip Basilan-St. Clare, making this time a perfect opportunity to finally realize its D-League title dream.

“Ito naman talaga yung goal namin. Umabot na kami sa part na ito in the past and ‘yung mga players, gutom lahat ‘yan na kunin na itong laro para makuha na namin yung unang championship para sa Marinero,” said coach Yong Garcia.

Marinero inched closer to that bid after a 72-67 Game 1 win with MVP derby frontrunner Juan Gomez de Liaño leading the way.

For the former University of the Philippines stalwart who also had a stint in the Japan B. League, there’s no better gift for Marinero than to help deliver that title promise.

“Ever since Marinero joined, they’ve never won the championship. I believe this is our perfect chance to finally give them one and we’ll start from there and build a history together,” said De Liaño.

Standing in the Skippers’ way are the defiant Green Archers, who are determined to keep their own title hopes alive.

“We understand the importance of this game and the challenge is already there for the players. We can’t let ourselves fall behind early and just play catch-up. We have to be at our A-game from the very start,” said mentor Derrick Pumaren.