Jun 08, 2023

PBA D-League: La Salle blasts Perpetual, nears finals

REIGNING champion EcoOil-La Salle tightened up its screws in the second half to put away the feisty University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, 107-78, in Game 1 of their semifinal duel in the 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The Green Archers opened the third quarter with an 11-2 run to stretch the lead to in a commanding 61-45 advantage on the way to a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.

La Salle has a chance to finish off Perpetual and book a return trip to the best-of-three finals with another win in Game 2 on Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

"I've been mentioning that we're really trying to build good habits here. We just challenged the team in terms of their individual defense, especially in the second half na kailangang ma-contain namin ang Perpetual," said La Salle assistant coach Gian Nazario.

Mark Nonoy fired away five triples and finished with 22 points in only 18 minutes of play for the Green Archers.

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EJ Gollena provided spark off the bench with 11 points while Bright Nwankwo made his presence felt inside with 10 points and 13 rebounds for La Salle, which led by as many as 33 points.

Skipper Jielo Razon and Cyrus Nitura had 17 and 15 points, respectively, for the Altas, who came close to within 42-50 at the turn only to run out of steam.(JBU)

The Scores:

EcoOil-La Salle 107 - Nonoy 22, Gollena 11, Nwankwo 10, Austria 9, M. Phillips 9, Quiambao 8, Escandor 8, David 6, Alao 6, Abadam 5, Cortez 5, Macalalag 4, B. Phillips 4, Manuel 0.

Perpetual 78 - Razon 17, Nitura 15, Ferreras 14, Pagaran 11, Barcuma 7, Boral 4, Abis 4, Nunez 4, Cuevas 2, Roque 0, Orgo 0, Ramirez 0.

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Quarterscores: 27-23, 50-42, 71-60, 107-78.