La Salle exacts revenge on San Beda, draws first blood in PBA D-League finals

EcoOil-La Salle moved one win away from defending its title because it fended off Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda University, 108-82, to attract first blood within the 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup on Thursday on the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The Green Archers waxed sizzling proper from the get-go, unleashing 31 large factors within the second quarter alone to take a 59-33 halftime lead. Prior to that, a Mark Nonoy trey despatched La Salle to its largest lead of 32 late within the second interval, 59-27.

The Red Lions, although, staged an rebellion within the third body with James Payosing sinking a free throw to assist minimize their deficit to simply 14, 68-54, earlier than La Salle headed to the fourth with a 77-61 cushion.

Budding guard Jacob Cortez and large man Damie Cuntapay tried to pump life to the Mendiola crew with the latter drilling two huge three-pointers that made it an 88-73 affair.

However, La Salle did not permit San Beda to create any momentum as Mike Phillips put the punctuation with a slam, 100-79.

Phillips led La Salle with 19 factors, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals whereas Mark Nonoy and Kevin Quiambao chipped in 16 and 12 markers apiece.

“Motivated ‘yung players namin kasi alam nila na nage-expect ang school ng championship yesterday and hindi namin nabigay. They’re simply motivated to get it right here within the D-League,” said assistant coach Gian Nazario, pertaining to their Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup finals loss to UP on Wednesday.

(“The gamers have been motivated as a result of the varsity was anticipating to get the [Filoil] championship yesterday and we weren’t capable of give it. They’re simply motivated to get it right here within the D-League.”)

The win was a revenge for the Green Archers, whose solely loss within the elimination spherical got here by the hands of San Beda. They will now look to brush the collection come Monday, June 26, for Game 2 on the identical venue.

Scores:

EcoOil-La Salle 108 – Phillips M. 19, Nonoy 16, Austria 13, Quiambao 12, Gollena 9, David 9, Nelle 7, Abadam 7, Alao 5, Nwanwko 4, Cortez 4, Phillips B. 3, Manuel 0, Escandor 0.

Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda 82 – Cortez 18, Cuntapay 16, Payosing 13, Royo 13, Andrada 8, Alfaro 6, Visser 4, Jopia 3, Tagala 1, Puno 0, Alloso 0, Jalbuena 0.

Quarters: 28-18, 59-33, 77-61, 108-82.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News