By REYNALD MAGALLON
Kevin Quiambao and Michael Phillips delivered the telling blows as EcoOil-La Salle took down Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda, 108-82, to draw first blood in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Finals at the Ynares Sports Arena on Thursday, June 22.
The Green Archers tamed the Red Lions with 11 triples in the first half to build a huge 32-point lead before taking a fiery San Beda uprising by the horns in the last two quarters to move on cusp of their second-straight D-League title.
With San Beda looking to threaten La Salle after cutting lead down to just 15 points midway through the final frame, Quiambao nailed a booming triple before finding Phillips underneath for a throw down to easily restore order and take the fight out off the hard-fighting Red Lions.
Mark Nonoy set the tone for the rout, draining four of the Archers’ first half triples to finish with 16 points while Phillips led the way in scoring with 19 points.
Quiambao put up an all-around effort of 12 points, eight assists and seven rebounds for the Archers who were still licking their wounds less than a day after losing in the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup Finals against University of the Philippines on Wednesday.
“Motivated ‘yung players namin kasi alam nila na nage-expect ang school ng championship yesterday and hindi na amin nabigay. They’re just motivated to get it here in the D-League,” said assistant coach Gian Nazario.
La Salle can finish off San Beda in Game 2 on Monday, June 26 in the same venue.
Jacob Cortez tried to carry the fight for San Beda, finishing with 18 points – 11 of which came in the third frame when the Lions raced to a 15-5 rally to cut a once 32-point deficit in half. He was backstopped by Damie Cuntapay who chipped in 16 points.
