Defending UAAP champion De La Salle University and reigning UCAL king Centro Escolar University moved closer to a showdown in the 2024 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup on Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
La Salle-EcoOil pulled away in the second half for an 85-65 rout of NAASCU champ Go Torakku-St. Clare, while CEU tamed NCAA champion San Beda University once again, 75-71, to open their respective best-of-three semis series.
It was a repeat performance for Jeff Perlas’ Scorpions, who also defeated the Red Lions 72-63 in the elimination round.
“We don’t want to come into the game thinking that we’re the No. 2 team. I reminded them that San Beda will be a different team in the semis and we’re still the Davids here, not the Goliaths,” said coach Jeff Perlas.
“We just have to keep believing that we belong here. Our players have to bring that David inside them, and they did.”
And the biggest David of them all was rookie Daniel Marcelo.
Marcelo went berserk in the fourth quarter while Dylan Darbin and Jerome Santos took care of the insurance free throws to rescue the Scorpions from almost wasting a double-digit lead in the second half.
Marcelo poured 14 of his 31 points in the payoff period, none bigger than the booming trey to give the Scorpions a 71-66 lead in the final minute before holding on for a thrilling repeat win over San Beda.
Abdub-Wahab Olusesi anchored CEU’s defensive stand with 15 points, 18 rebounds, two steals, and five blocks while Darbin complemented Marcelo in scoring with 10 points to fill the injury absence of ace guard Franz Ray Diaz.
Diaz went down in the first half with an ankle injury and never returned, but Marcelo rose to the occasion and made up for it, preventing CEU’s meltdown from a 54-44 lead late in the third quarter.
(C) PBA Images
Meanwhile, the unbeaten Green Archers went on a 34-13 barrage in the third period to rip the game wide open and zero in on a third straight finals appearance.
“Actually, ito ‘yung diniscuss namin sa pre-game. We have to respect St. Clare as they’re capable of playing that way. Even at halftime, ‘yun pa rin ang sinasabi ko,” said La Salle assistant coach Gian Nazario after the match.
“Without Jonnel Policarpio (stomach) and EJ Gollena (hamstring), we needed more players to step up, and they did.”
Michael Phillips collared a near double-double of 17 points and nine rebounds laced with six steals and two blocks to headline the Green Archers’ onslaught.
Nigerian big man Henry Agunanne flaunted his sweet touch with two triples for 14 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks while Joshua David and CJ Austria chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively.
RC Calimag had 13 points, Jomel Puno and Sajonia fired 12 points apiece for San Beda as other aces Yukien Andrada and James Payosing fouled out down the wire, hurting San Beda’s chances to come back and exact payback on its tormentor.
JM Estacio, Ryan Sual, and Megan Galang had 12, 11, and 10 points, respectively, to lead the way for the Saints.
Both the Archers and the Scorpions will go for the kill on Tuesday.
The Scores:
First Game:
EcoOil-La Salle 85 – Phillips 17, Agunanne 14, David 12, Austria 11, Macalalag 8, Rubico 8, Abadam 6, Cortez 5, Gaspay 3, Alian 1, Romero 0.
Go Torakku-St. Clare 65 – Estacio 12, Sual 11, Galang 10, Decano 6, Cabauatan 6, Burgos 5, Ndong 5, De Guzman 4, Acosta 3, Tapenio 2, Russel 1, Balacaoac 0.
Quarterscores: 11-13, 36-34, 70-47, 85-65.
Second Game:
CEU 75 – Marcelo 31, Olusesi 15, Darbin 10, Puray 8, Diaz 5, Santos 4, Bernabe 2 Gueverra 0, Malicana 0, Mendoza 0, Gamboa 0.
Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda 71 – Calimag RC 13, Puno 12, Sajonia 12, Payosing 8, Andrada 7, Tagle 6, Songcuya 4, Celzo 4, Royo 3, Gonzales 2, Estacio 0, Calimag Jr 0, Torres 0.
Quarterscores: 17-20, 39-33, 54-46, 75-71.
