Reigning champion EcoOil-La Salle turned up the heat late in the game to hold off the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, 80-73, and join Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda on top of the 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup standings on Tuesday at the Ynares Sports Arena.
The Green Archers overcame an early 12-point deficit with a strong fourth-quarter surge, earning a share of the lead with the idle Red Lions at 3-1.
Kevin Quiambao contributed 15 points and 12 rebounds, while Francis Escandor, CJ Austria, and Mark Nonoy added 15, 14, and 13 points respectively for La Salle. The team managed well despite missing the services of Mike and Ben Phillips, as well as Evan Nelle.
The Phillips brothers are currently fulfilling national team commitments in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games with Gilas Pilipinas, which recently reclaimed the gold medal, while Nelle is nursing a groin strain.
“We knew it was going to be a struggle against a tough Perpetual team that has been playing well in this tournament and in their other competitions. Fortunately, we were able to figure things out defensively,” said assistant coach Gian Nazario, who has been tasked by head coach Topex Robinson to handle the D-League duties for La Salle.
“We’re just getting started, we’re learning. We’re on a learning curve, trying to figure things out. We will face challenges, and we embrace them.”
La Salle played catch-up basketball in the first half, trailing Perpetual by as much as 28-16 before gradually finding their rhythm in the second half with Quiambao, Austria, Escandor, and Nonoy leading the charge.
The game remained tightly contested early in the fourth quarter, with La Salle holding a narrow 66-64 lead in the last five minutes. However, the Green Archers unleashed a 15-4 run, capped by Austria’s transition basket, to seal the victory at 79-70 with less than two minutes remaining.
Cyrus Nitura led the Altas with 21 points but couldn’t prevent their second consecutive loss in four matches.
The Scores:
EcoOil-La Salle 80 – Quiambao 15, Escandor 15, Austria 14, Nonoy 13, David 7, Cortez 6, Gollena 6, Nwanko 4, Buensalida 0, Alao 0.
Perpetual 73 – Nitura 21, Ferreras 16, Roque 14, Abis 6, Barcoma 6, Boral 4, Razon 4, Nunez 2, Movida 0, Sevilla 0, Ramirez 0.
Quarterscores: 16-20, 36-40, 56-52, 80-73.
