WHAT is expected to be a series too close to call may just turn out to be a one-sided duel.
Defending champion EcoOil-La Salle simply proved too big, too strong, and too good for Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda University yesterday.
Propped up by a blistering start and a sustained attack, the Green Archers overpowered the Red Lions 108-82 in Game 1 of their best-of-3 finals battle for the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup crown at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Six-foot-8 big man Mike Phillips notched a game-high 19 points, including several rim-rattling slam dunks, to go with three rebounds and three assists for La Salle, while Mark Nonoy boomed in four three-pointers and chipped in 16 markers, three boards, and two dimes.
CJ Austria and leading conference MVP candidate Kevin Quiambao also had 13 and 12 points, respectively, as the Archers moved within a win of reaching the Promised Land anew.
The Taft-based five will try to finish off San Beda in the second game on Monday, June 26, at the same venue.
A deciding Game 3, if necessary, will be played on Thursday, June 29, also at the Pasig-based arena.
“I’m just happy with how the players responded. Yesterday, we were very unfortunate but ang sabi nga namin sa dugout, today is a new day for us to represent the school again and play the game that we love,” assistant coach Gian Nazario said. “Wala namang nawala sa amin. We move on.
“Motivated iyong players namin kasi alam nila na nag-e-expect ang school ng championship yesterday and hindi namin naibigay. They’re just motivated to get it here in the D-League,” he added.
A Nonoy triple gave La Salle its biggest lead 59-27 at the 1:15 mark of the second quarter before the Archers settled for a 59-33 spread at the break.
The Lions pulled to within 54-68 on a James Payosing free throw with 3:43 to go in the third canto.
La Salle still enjoyed a 77-61 edge heading into the payoff period.
Jacob Cortez carried the fight for San Beda with 18 points, four caroms, and five feeds, while Damie Cuntapay added 16 markers.
