La Salle nears D-League finale

MANILA, Philippines — Reigning champion EcoOil-La Salle moved closer to a third straight finals appearance by routing Go Torakku-St. Clare, 85-65, in Game 1 of the 2024 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup semifinals yesterday the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Coming off a week-long break after topping the eliminations for an outright semifinal berth, the back-to-back champions nursed rust in a flat start before erupting for a game-changing third-quarter rally for a 1-0 lead in the quick best-of-three semis duel.

La Salle outscored St. Clare in the third, 34-13, en route to the blowout as it shored up its bid for a third straight championship in the PBA’s developmental ranks.

Mike Phillips dropped 17 points, nine rebounds, six steals and two blocks while his frontcourt partner Henry Agunanne hauled down 14 points and nine rebounds, laced by two triples and two blocks.

Ace guards Joshua David (12), CJ Austria (11), JC Macalalag (8) and Lionel Rubico (8) quarterbacked their run with 14 combined assists plus four steals.

“We told our players in the pre-game that we have to respect St. Clare. They’re capable of playing this way. Even in halftime, that’s our pep talk so we needed more players to step up and the team did,” said assistant coach Gian Nazario as La Salle pulled through without Jonnel Policarpio and EJ Gollena.