La Salle captured the 2022 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup crown with a convincing 91-78 conquest over Marinerong Pilipino in their winner-take-all Game 3 Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Michael Phillips produced a double-double of 15 points and 16 rebounds apart from posting three assists and three steals as the Archers claimed their first championship in the developmental league.
“We got to want it and want it more and the boys showed it,” said coach Derick Pumaren, who finally ascended to the top of the ranks after a runner-up finish with Centro Escolar University in the 2019 Aspirants’ Cup.
Schonny Winston topscored for La Salle with 16 points, five boards, five assists, and three steals And the Archers started off hot with a 21-9 opener.
Mark Nonoy, who picked the right time to play his best game in the league, poured 15 points from three treys, and Evan Nelle got 13 points, five rebounds, and five dimes in the winner-take-all affair.
The scores:
La Salle 91 ‒ Winston 16, M. Phillips 15, Nonoy 15, Nelle 13, Austria 8, Manuel 7, Quiambao 6, Nwankwo 6, B. Phillips 5, Macalalag 0.
Marinerong Pilipino 78 ‒ Gomez de Liano 30, Nocum 18, Gamboa 12, Soberano 7, Manlangit 5, Carino 2, Go 2, Pido 2, Bonifacio 0, Bonsubre 0, Agustin 0.
Quarters: 25-19, 51-36, 74-57, 91-78.
