EcoOil-La Salle pulled away in the final five minutes of the payoff period to edge the gritty CEU squad, 76-65, and get back on the winning track in the 2022 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City on Friday, July 15.
Eager to bounce back after absorbing their first taste of defeats, both squads engaged in a nip-and-tuck affair in the first three quarters before the Archers got a huge lift from CJ Austria, Michael Phillips and Joaqui Manuel in the waning minutes of the final frame to create the much-needed separation.
Austria led the charge for the Archers with 18 points while Phillips was a workhorse on both ends of the floor with a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds. Zachary Estacio added 12 and Nigerian big man Bright Nwankwo added nine points and 10 boards.
La Salle rode a searing 15-0 rally halfway through the final frame, turning a 58-59 deficit into a commanding 73-59 cushion with a little over two minutes left in the clock. CEU tried to recover from the fourth quarter collapse behind Ronrei Tolentino and Jerome Santos but the lead proved to be too much to overcome as the Archers safely cruised with the victory.
Santos finished with 16 points while Lenard Santiago and Tolentino added 13 and 11 points respectively to pace the Scorpion who now have absorbed their second straight loss.