JUST how good is defending two-time champion EcoOil-La Salle?
Despite playing without two key players, the Green Archers dismantled the Go Torakku-St. Clare Saints 85-65 yesterday in Game 1 of their best-of-3 semifinal showdown in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
After a slow start, unscathed EcoOil-La Salle uncorked a vicious 34-13 blitz in the third quarter and never looked back to close in on a third straight finals stint with a 1-0 lead in the race-to-2 series.
Michael Phillips turned in a near double-double of 17 points and nine rebounds laced by six steals and two blocks for the Archers, while Nigerian big man Henry Agunanne chimed in 14 markers, nine boards and two swats.
Joshua David and CJ Austria also combined for 23 points as EcoOil-La Salle, which clinched an outright semis berth as the No. 1 seed in the eliminations, goes for the jugular against the Saints Tuesday next week at the same venue.
“ Actually, ito iyong diniscuss namin sa pre-game. We have to respect St. Clare as they’re capable of playing that way,” Archers assistant coach Gian Nazario said. “Even at halftime, iyon pa rin ang sinasabi ko.
“Without Jonnel Policarpio (stomach) and EJ Gollena (hamstring), we needed more players to step up and they did,” he added.
Coming off a week-long break, EcoOil-La Salle battled rust early on and trailed multiple times against an in-form St. Clare side, including a 20-29 deficit midway through the second quarter.