Reigning champion EcoOil-La Salle vented its ire on PSP, 108-67, to get back on track in the 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup, Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The Green Archers needed a quarter to rediscover their fiery form, which they mightily unleashed in a telling 20-1 avalanche to start the second frame and take the fight out of the valiant Gymers.
Albeit missing a handful of players, the shorthanded La Salle flipped a precarious 19-18 cushion to a 39-19 lead on its way to a 2-1 slate at solo second behind Perpetual (2-0).
“Short kami sa rotation with Kevin Quiambao and other players in the UAAP 3×3. It’s an adversity but instead, we told the team to treat it as an opportunity to step up, especially for those na hindi masyado nakakakuha ng minuto like Gollena did today,” said assistant coach Gian Nazario.
EJ Gollena rose to the occasion with his 17 points on 6-of-7 shooting to lead eight players barging into double digits for the Green Archers.
Mark Nonoy and Raven Cortez added 14 apiece, Evan Nelle had 13, with JC Macalalag, EJ Abadam and Bright Nwankwo carding 12 each.
La Salle missed the services of Quiambao, CJ Austria, Joshua David, and Francis Escandor due to their UAAP 3×3 stints but welcomed back Gilas Pilipinas trainee Mike Phillips, who collared 10 points, seven rebounds, and three steals.
Gilas had a short breather from its intensified training camp in Laguna for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games that paved the way for the availability of Mike and his brother Ben, who will return to national duties tomorrow.
Ian Jay Yutuc led PSP (1-2) with 22 points.
The Scores:
EcoOil-La Salle 108 – Gollena 17, Nonoy 14, Cortez 14, Nelle 13, Macalalag 12, Abadam 12, Nwankwo 12, Phillips 10, M. Reyes 4, Alao 0.
PSP Gymers 67 – Yutuc 22, Dela Cruz 9, Mohammad 8, Bayla 7, Acuña 6, Olegario 5, Gabriel 5, Dino 2, Velchez 2, Cesista 1, C. Reyes 0, Quinga 0, Soriano 0, Castillo 0.
Quarterscores: 19-18, 50-32, 78-51, 108-67.
