VETERAN coaches pull off their biggest aces up their sleeves in the games that matter most. EcoOil-La Salle coach Derrick Pumaren did just that yesterday.
Boosted by a fiery start they sustained all the way, the Green Archers carved out a runaway 91-78 victory over the Marinerong Pilipino Skippers in the deciding match of their best-of-3 finals showdown and bagged the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Schonny Winston scattered 16 points, on top of five boards, and five assists for EcoOil-La Salle, while Michael Phillips wound up with a double-double of 15 markers, 16 boards, and three dimes.
Mark Nonoy and Evan Nelle also had 15 and 13 points, respectively, for the Archers, who completed their riveting title triumph for a maiden crown in the country’s top developmental league.
The Taft-based cagers dropped a 67-72 loss in the series opener last Aug. 21 but struck with big wins in the next two matches, counting a 70-63 decision in Game 2 eight days ago for their maiden diadem.
Marinerong Pilipino could not get the job anew three years after losing to BRT Sumisip Basilan-St. Clare in the Foundation Cup.
Pumaren, who also won his first D-League title, said he simply used a tried and tested ploy in sports — telling his charges they have to show they wanted it more.
“I told the boys that we have to show it. They have to want it. They want to win but they have to want it more. The team that wants it more will win the ballgame and the boys showed it. I’m really proud of the way they played. They really fought hard,” Pumaren said.
“Talagang hindi pinaporma ang Marinero at the start and as I’ve mentioned also, we have the advantage, we have the momentum, but you have to use that to your advantage. Good enough the boys responded and took advantage of the momentum that we had,” he added.
EcoOil-La Salle zoomed to a 51-36 lead at the half it stretched to as much as 53-74 on a Nonoy jumper just before the close of the third canto.
A Rence Nocum basket pulled the Skippers to within 70-79 at the 4:09 mark of the final stanza but that proved to be too little, too late.
Conference MVP Juan Gomez de Liaño carried the fight for Marinerong Pilipino with 30 points, six caroms, and three feeds, while Nocum and Arvin Gamboa also combined for 30 markers.
