Archers on brink of D-League three-peat
Archers on brink of D-League three-peat
MANILA, Philippines — Reigning champion EcoOil-La Salle overwhelmed challenger Centro Escolar U in Game 1 of the best-of-three finals, 98-72, to zero in on a third straight championship in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup last Monday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Without Abdul-Wahab Olusesi for the Scorpions, Henry Agunanne and Jonnel Policarpio dominated inside with 17 points each as the unbeaten Green Archers drew first blood in the short race-to-two showdown.
Olusesi, the defensive anchor of CEU in its stellar run to the title playoff, missed the opener due to a left knee sprain that he suffered in the Scorpions’ 78-56 Game 3 win in the semifinals against Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda.
“CEU was riding on a lot of momentum. Beating San Beda is such a huge achievement for their program so I told the players that CEU will be coming out with a lot of confidence with or without Olusesi,” said assistant coach Gian Nazaro after their eighth win in as many games.
“We have to be prepared against them and I think from the start, ‘yun ang nagawa namin.”
The Archers, also the kings in the UAAP, waxed hot early with a 23-9 start and led by as many as 39 points in the lopsided game.
JC Macalalag (13), Raven Cortez (10) and EJ Gollena (10) threw in contributions for the Green Archers, who have a chance to become the second winningest franchise in D-League history with a three-peat.