REIGNING champion EcoOil-La Salle got the job done anew against Perpetual Help and kept alive its bid for a second straight crown yesterday.
Leaning on a fiery start and a sustained charge, the Green Archers repeated over the Altas, scoring a runaway 108-91 victory in Game 2 of their best-of-3 semifinals duel in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at The Arena in San Juan.
Prince Ray Alao poured 12 of his 22 points in the first half for La Salle, while JC Macalalag chipped in 11 markers. Alao laced his performance with a rebound and six assists.
Kevin Quiambao, Bright Nwankwo and EJ Gollena all had 10 points as the Archers bucked the absence of ace playmaker Evan Nelle due to a minor calf strain.
The emphatic close out triumph came on the heels of the Taft-based quintet’s similarly lopsided 107-78 drubbing of Perpetual in the series opener six days ago.
More importantly, the Archers reached the Big Dance for the second straight conference and will take on either eliminations pacesetter Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda University or Wangs Basketball@27 Strikers-Letran.
La Salle deputy coach Gian Nazario said the Archers’ mission is far from finished.
“This is a venue to show and apply what we’re learning,” Nazario said. “Masaya kami sa ipinakita namin in these playoffs but we’re not content yet.”
Later, the Red Lions got back at the Knights, scoring a 74-51 win to drag their semis battle to a deciding third tiff.
Peter Alfaro led San Beda with 20 points, five boards and four dimes, while James Payosing barely missed a double-double with 12 markers and nine caroms.
Jacob Cortez and Clifford Jopia also combined for 22 points as the Lions redeemed themselves from an 87-93 overtime loss to Letran in Game 1 last Thursday.
The do-or-die Game 3 is set tomorrow at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
“We have to give it to our players. We really gave emphasis on being composed and being smarter,” San Beda tactician Yuri Escueta said. “The players made it a point to control the situation and they did. Hat’s off to them.”
John Abis paced the Altas with 21 and three, while Christian Pagaran, Carlo Ferreras, and Jielo Razon had 19, 19 and 11 points, respectively.
Kyle Tolentino was the lone bright spot for Letran with nine markers and three rebounds.
