By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The EcoOil-La Salle Green Archers completed a PBA D-League three-peat after outclassing the Centro Escolar University (CEU) Scorpions, 96-66, in Game 2 of the Aspirants Cup finals at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City on Thursday night, May 9.
Cyrus Austria anchored the Green Archers’ strong start, finishing with 19 points and two steals to be named Player of the Game as they wrapped up the best-of-three series at 2-0.
Just like in the series opener, the Green Archers quickly pulled away in the opening quarter behind the early offense of Austria, as they established a 33-16 lead before widening it further to 47-30 at halftime.
However, the Scorpions showed some fight in the third quarter as they cut the deficit to 12 points, but the Green Archers responded with a run courtesy of inside hits by Michael Phillips as the advantage went up to as high as 30 points in the final quarter.
JC Macalalag added 17 markers, Raven Cortez and Henry Agunnane contributed 12 and 10 markers, respectively, while Phillips ended up with a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Green Archers.
“First of all, I would like to thank the Lord for giving us this championship. We would like to thank the EcoOil management, the coaching staff and the players,” Green Archers assistant coach Gian Nazario said.
“It’s nice to be in this position. ‘Yun naman ang end goal namin, to win the championship. Hats off to CEU. They really had a great D-League run. They deserved to be here,” he added.
Ilonggo Franz Ray Diaz finished with 14 points to lead the way for the Scorpions, while Daniel Marcelo and Negrense Jayson Puray added 13 and 12 markers, respectively, in the loss.
Prior to Game 2, Phillips was awarded Most Valuable Player of the 2024 PBA D League Aspirants Cup after submitting averages of 12.3 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.1 blocks per outing.
Phillips beat out Green Archers teammate Jonnel Policarpio and Scorpions’ Diaz for the coveted honor./ASC, WDJ
ECOOIL-LA SALLE 96 — Austria 19, Macalalag 17, Cortez 12, Phillips 11, Agunanne 10, Abadam 7, David 5, Marasigan 3, Policarpio 3, Gollena 3, Romero 2, Buensalida 2, Alian 2, Gaspay 0, Rubico 0.
CEU 66 — Diaz 14, Marcelo 13, Puray 12, Dabin 9, Benabe 6, Gamboa 6, Guevarra 5, Santos 1, De Guzman 0, Benitez 0, Malicana 0, Mendoza 0, Serrano 0.
Quarterscores: 33-16, 47-30, 66-47, 96-66.