DESPITE having their backs pushed against the ropes by fancied Marinerong Pilipino, EcoOil-La Salle coach Derrick Pumaren told his charges to simply embrace a ‘nothing-to-lose’ mindset — a ploy that worked wonders yesterday.
The Green Archers tripped the Skippers 70-63 in Game 2 of their best-of-3 finals battle for the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup crown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Hardworking big man Michael Phillips notched a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds for EcoOil-La Salle, while Schonny Winston added 15 markers on two three-pointers.
CJ Austria also had 11 points, five rebounds, and three assists for the Archers, who avenged a 67-72 loss to Marinerong Pilipino in Game 1 four days ago.
More importantly, EcoOil-La Salle forged a deciding Game 3 for the season-opening tourney’s title next Wednesday also at the Big Dome.
“As I’ve told the boys, we don’t have to pressure ourselves. This team is still a work in progress. We know why we are here — to work on our game and be better for the UAAP. So, they don’t have to pressure themselves and that’s exactly what I told the boys,” Pumaren said.
“We’re trying to get better, we’re trying to be a championship caliber-team for the UAAP.
We just have to play our game and be ready to play them (Skippers),” he added.
The Taft-based five took a 34-26 lead at the half that it padded to as much as 41-30 on a Winston triple at the 7:18 mark of the third quarter.
The Skippers managed to trim the deficit to 41-49 going into the payoff period.
Marinerong Pilipino unleashed a 21-12 binge capped by a trey by Juan Gomez de Liaño, who was named conference MVP before the match, to pull to within 62-63 with still 1:21 to go.
But the Archers held their ground the rest of the way to seal the victory.
Jollo Go carried the fight for the Skippers with 21 points, three caroms, and two dimes, while Gomez de Liaño had 14 markers, four boards, and four feeds.
Kemark Cariño also got 14 and six for Marinerong Pilipino.
“We just caught them napping at the start. We came out strong. I know we’re tired as we’re playing almost every day but it’s the mindset for us. We just came out ready and we played our game unlike in the first game where we played tentatively,” Pumaren said.
“I’m proud of the way the boys kept their pressure. We were playing not to lose but we’re able to correct that and make big mistakes.”