Defending champion La Salle-Ecooil and last year’s runner-up Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda got off to flying starts to open their respective campaigns in the 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup on Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Green Archers ripped the CCI-Yengskivel Crusaders, 110-68, while the Red Lions drubbed Go Torrakku-St. Clare College, 92-59.
Jonnel Policarpio tallied a near triple-double of 22 points on 10-of-14 shooting, 10 rebounds, and seven assists in 21 minutes to lead the way for the Green Archers.
La Salle also got seven points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks from team captain Mike Phillips, while new guys Vhoris Marasigan and Henry Agunanne tallied eight points each.
“I told the players before the start of the game that this is the first major tournament for us after winning the championship in the UAAP. This is gonna be something new to us,” said deputy mentor Caloy Garcia.
“It’s a challenge for us to develop the new players as early as now to give them time to adjust to playing within the system.”
La Salle played without reigning D-League and UAAP MVP Quiambao, but it hardly mattered as Aaron Buensalida, EJ Gollena, and CJ Austria responded to the challenge. The trio combined for 45 points.
(C) PBA Images
Meanwhile, Jomel Puno, Yukien Andrada, and Bryan Sajonia tallied 12 points apiece for the Red Lions.
“We’re getting there. We’re still adjusting to being able to mix ‘yung new and old guys. Ito ‘yung first tournament namin together. There are a lot of things to watch and improve on and that’s a good thing moving forward,” said Yuri Escueta, the Red Lions head coach, referring to new acquisition Sajonia and Penny Estacio.
Babacar Ndong was the only player in double digits for Go Torrakku-St. Clare with 14 points. He also had 12 rebounds.
The Scores:
First Game:
Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda 92 – Sajonia 12, Puno 12, Andrada 12, Tagle 11, Estacio 8, Payosing 8, Etulle 5, Jalbuena 4, Gonzales 4, Celzo 4, Royo 4, Calimag 3, Tagala 2, Songcuya 2, Lopez 1.
Go Torrakku-St. Clare 59 – Ndong 14, Burgos 9, Decano 9, Tapenio 7, Cabauatan 6, Sual 6, Estacio 4, Lopez 2, Rojas 2, Galang 0, Penaga 0, Balacaoc 0, Yu 0, Dumancas 0, Angeles 0.
Quarterscores: 19-14, 41-20, 79-36, 92-59.
Second Game:
La Salle-Ecooil 110 – Policarpio 22, Buensalida 16, Gollena 15, Austria 14, Maraisgan 8, Agunanne 8, Abadam 7, Phillips 7, Gaspay 4, Alian 4, David 3, Daja 2, Rubico 0.
CCI-Yengskivel 68 – Tener 11, Buenaflor 9, Nuarin 8, Galvez 6, De Guzman 6, Esguerra 5, Dela Cruz 5, Manipolo 4, Talagtag 4, Verdadero 3, Jawili 3, Palma 2, Guray 2, Dever 0, Puzon 0.
Quarterscores: 29-16, 59-31, 93-54, 110-68.
