Games on Tuesday

(Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig)

4:30 p.m. – Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda vs CEU

7:30 p.m. – EcoOil-La Salle vs Go Torakku-St. Clare

Defending champion EcoOil-La Salle pulled away in the second half for an 85-65 rout of Go Torakku-St. Clare and took a headstart in the 2024 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup semifinals on Thursday, April 25, at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

After a slow start, the unbeaten Green Archers went on 34-13 barrage in the third period to rip the game wide open and zero in for a third straight finals appearance.

But the spotlight fell on Centro Escolar University which repeated over Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda, 75-71, in the other semifinal.

The Green Archers and the Scorpions will advance to the finals with another victory in Game 2 of the best of three series on Tuesday also at the Pasig hoop house.

“Actually, ito ‘yung diniscuss namin sa pre-game. We have to respect St. Clare as they’re capable of playing that way. Even at halftime, ‘yun pa rin ang sinasabi ko,” said La Salle assistant coach Gian Nazario after the match.

“Without Jonnel Policarpio (stomach) and EJ Gollena (hamstring), we needed more players to step up and they did.”

Michael Phillips tallied 17 points and nine rebounds laced by six steals and two blocks to headline the Green Archers’ onslaught. Nigerian big man Henry Agunanne had 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocks while Joshua David and CJ Austria chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Daniel Marcelo waxed hot in the fourth quarter while Dylan Darbin and Jerome Santos provided the insurance free throws to save the day for the Scorpions, who nearly blew double-digit lead in the second half.

Marcelo poured 14 of his 31 points in the payoff period, including a booming trey to give the Scorpions a 71-66 lead in the final minute as the Scorpions held on to the finish to repeat over the NCAA kings. CEU beat San Beda, 72-63, in the classification round.

“We don’t want to come into the game thinking that we’re the No. 2 team. I reminded them that San Beda will be a different team in the semis and we’re still the Davids here, not the Goliaths,” said CEU coach Jeff Perlas.