EcoOil-La Salle made shortwork of Wangs Basketball @27 Striker-Letran, 102-79, and secured its place in the semifinals of the 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Thursday at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.
Kevin Quiambao scored 13 points, pulled down five rebounds and dished three steals in the first half to orchestrate La Salle’s breakaway and dashed whatever hopes the Knights had entertained to get to the Final Four via the short route.
The reigning champs finished the eliminations with a 5-1 record and joined early semifinalist Marinerong Pilipino-San San Beda, which also wrapped up its elims campaign with a similar slate.
It was apparent that La Salle meant business against the reigning NCAA champions by racing to an early, 21-7.
Letran responded and pulled within six but the Archers, with Quiambao, Mark Nonoy and Joaqui Manuel at the firing end, uncorked a 30-13 run for a commanding 55-32 advantage at the turn.
Letran never recovered from that onslaught.
By finishing tied with University of Perpetual Help System-Delta and Centro Escolar University – all with similar 3-3 records – Letran earned a twice to beat advantage in the quarterfinals along with the Altas on the strength of a superior quotient.
The quarters starts on Tuesday at the Paco Arena in Manila.
