EcoOil-La Salle locked down Centro Escolar University in the clutch, escaping with a 76-65 win in the 2022 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup, Friday at Ynares Center in Antipolo.
CJ Austria led the cavalry with 18 points, four assists, and three rebounds as the Green Archers put their loss against Marinerong Pilipino last Tuesday in the rearview.
Michael Phillips also bounced back with 12 points, 11 boards, two steals, and two blocks, while Penny Estacio poured 12 points, five rebounds, and two assists.
The Green Archers put the clamps on the Scorpions after the latter took a 59-58 lead with 6:06 remaining, scoring 16 unanswered points to build an insurmountable 74-59 edge in the final 1:28.
“We didn’t play the way we were supposed to do in the first three quarters. Luckily, we were able to regroup and we tightened up on defense,” said coach Derick Pumaren as EcoOil-La Salle rose to a 2-1 record.
Jerome Santos led the 1-2 Scorpions with 16 points, four rebounds, four steals, and two blocks.
Lenard Santiago added 13 points, seven rebounds, and four assists while Ronrei Tolentino chipped in 11 markers.
The Scores:
Ecooil-DLSU 76 – Austria 18, Phillips M. 12, Estacio 12, Manuel 9, Nwankwo 6, Galman 6, Blanco 3, Alao 2, Phillips B. 2, Escandor 2, Cortez 2, Buensalida 2.
CEU 65 – Santos 16, Santiago 13, Tolentino 11, Bernabe 9, Diaz 5, Balogun 4, Penano 4, Borromeo 2, Ancheta 1, Ferrer 0, Cabotaje 0.
Quarterscores: 21-17, 39-36, 52-50, 76-65.
