EcoOil-La Salle displayed its grit and composure down the stretch to pull off a masterful 89-74 win over Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda to complete a sweep of the 2023 Philippine Basketball Association D-League Aspirants’ Cup finals series yesterday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The Green Archers took it easy in the first half before dropping a booming 17-4 bomb in the third period to pad the cushion and seal the Game 2 victory in their best-of-three titular showdown.
Former Gilas Pilipinas stalwart Kevin Quiambao was at his best, firing 26 points, including eight in the momentum-swinging run in which the Green Archers turned a close 43-42 lead into a 60-46 spread that greatly demoralized the Red Lions.
Quiambao, who was also named Most Valuable Player, added 10 rebounds while Evan Nelle fired 16 points, five rebounds, seven assists and six steals in a brilliant display of all-around prowess for the Green Archers, who are using the tourney as a warmup for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 in September.
Playmaker Mark Nonoy had 14 markers while Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Mike Phillips collared a double-double performance of 12 points and 10 rebounds.
“We expected the San Beda fightback. We cannot skip steps. We cannot think that we will be champions right away,” said La Salle assistant coach Gian Nazario, speaking on behalf of chief tactician Topex Robinson.
“Most were expecting the game to be a blowout but it did not happen. We needed 40 minutes and we’re happy that the boys responded.”
The 22-year-old Quiambao said he was thankful for winning the MVP trophy but the Aspirants’ Cup title was their ultimate goal.
“I’m thankful for the MVP but I have to give credit to my teammates and our coaching staff for working hard on this championship,” he said.
“That’s our goal from the start and we’re grateful to finally win it.”
After hardly breaking a sweat in Game 1, 108-82, the Archers found themselves in a dogfight in the first half as JV Gallego, who had a brief altercation with Nonoy that prompted officials to slap them with technical fouls, willed the Red Lions from another rusty start by scoring nine of their 12 points.
Down at 30-39 in the last three minutes, Gallego caught fire and pushed the Red Lions to the driver seat, 42-40, but Nonoy drained a buzzer-beating
three-pointer at the half to help the Archers regain the lead.
It was all La Salle from there, holding San Beda at bay for a sweet redemption after losing in the Filoil finals last week. The Archers led by as many as 19 points, 88-69, off a Nonoy triple in the final minute.
Yukien Andrada had 15 points while James Payosing and Damie Cuntapay put up 12 each for the Red Lions, who still fell short of dragging the series to a winner-take-all Game 3.
