ALTHOUGH they have been picked by armchair pundits as the favorites in the Big Dance, assistant coach Gian Nazario of reigning champion EcoOil-La Salle maintained it will not be a walk in the park for the Green Archers.
“We feel we have the advantage, even in height, but again, we have a lot of respect for coach Yuri Escueta and what he’s able to put in San Beda,” Nazario said.
“We can have the advantage, but we have to treat them with respect,” he added.
La Salle takes on Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda University today in Game 1 of their best-of-3 finals duel for the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup crown at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The game is set at 3 p.m., with the combatants equally determined to gain the pivotal head start in the race-to-2 series for the developmental league’s only title to be disputed this year.
The Red Lions edged the Archers 82-79 on a game-winning three-pointer by Peter Alfaro in their eliminations tiff last May 2 in a clash where the Phillips brothers — Mike and Ben — did not suit up due to their Gilas Pilipinas duties in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.
“I’m not going to take away that we were shorthanded (when they beat us). But at the same time, we have to give credit to San Beda,” Nazario said.
The Taft-based cagers will count on conference MVP contender Kevin Quiambao, ace guards Evan Nelle and Mark Nonoy, and the Phillips brothers to deliver.
“Walang madali. La Salle is a stronger team, kita nyo naman sa tao per tao. Kailangan handa kami,” San Beda tactician Yuri Escueta said.
“Wala pa kaming achievement but you know our winning tradition in San Beda, second or last place, pareho lang iyon. Our goal is to win.”
The likes of Jacob Cortez, Peter Alfaro, Yukien Andrada and Clifford Jopia are expected to show the way for the Lions.
La Salle and San Beda finished the eliminations with similar 5-1 cards, but the Lions ended up as the top seed due to the winner-over-the other rule.
The Archers swept Perpetual Help 2-0 in the semis while San Beda needed three matches to finish off Wangs Basketball @27-Letran.
