MANILA – EcoOil-La Salle Green Archers moved closer to a title repeat after a 108-82 beating of Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda Red Lions in Game 1 of the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup finals on Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Michael Phillips spearheaded the offense for the Green Archers with 19 points, while Cyrus Austria contributed 13 markers as they took a 1-0 advantage in the best-of-three title series.
But it was Mark Nonoy who was named as the Player of the Game for the Green Archers as he tallied 16 points, with 14 coming in the first two quarters, while also making five of his eight three-point attempts.
The Green Archers went to work early as they established a 15-6 advantage behind early hits from Austria and Vincent David before widening it to 28-18 with conversions from Nonoy.
The lead swelled further for the Green Archers in the second frame with Nonoy connecting from outside while also limiting the Red Lions offense to build their largest advantage of 32 points.
The Red Lions opened the third quarter with a huge run behind Jacob Cortez, Aaron James Royo and James Payosing to cut the deficit to 14 points but the Green Archers had quick response from Kevin Quiambao and Phillips for a 77-61 upperhand.
De La Salle University leaned on their inside game in the final quarter as consecutive hits from Phillips allowed them to maintain a 93-75 spread before widening it to 26 points courtesy of late shots from Elaijah Gollena.
According to Nonoy, who is on his final year with the Green Archers, said he is dedicating his strong performance to his one-year-old child, who was christened in Negros Occidental on the same day.
“Hindi ako nakauwi sa amin pero okay lang kasi sacrifice. Ginawa kong motivation ‘yun. Dedicate ko itong panalo na ito sa anak ko,” said the La Carlota City, Negros Occidental native guard.
Cortez top-scored for the Red Lions with 18 points to go with five assists, Damie Cuntapay contributed 16 markers, while Payosing and Royo ended up with 13 points each in the loss.
BOX SCORE:
DLSU 108 – M. Phillips 19, Nonoy 16, Austria 13, Quiambao 12, Gollena 9, David 9, Nelle 7, Abadam 7, Alao 5, Nwankwo 4, Cortez 4, B. Phillips 3, Manuel 0, Escandor 0.
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.
Quarterscores: 28-18, 59-33, 77-61, 108-82./PN
