Archers nail grand sweep, three-peat

MANILA, Philippines — Mike Phillips snared the Most Valuable Player plum as EcoOil-La Salle captured a rare three-peat in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup.

La Salle completed a 2-0 sweep of the crippled Centro Escolar U crew with an easy 96-66 win for its third championship in row on Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

As Phillips became the second straight Green Archer to win MVP honors after Kevin Quiambao, the Green Archers also rose as only the second team to win three consecutive titles in the D-League after NLEX’ four-peat (2010 to 2013) for a league-best total of six crowns.

Skipper CJ Austria rifled in 19 points in only 21 minutes of play as JC Macalalag, Raven Cortez and Henry Agunanne fired 17, 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Phillips, who registered averages of 12.3 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocks, anchored the middle with 11 markers and 10 boards as the Green Archers tied Cignal as the second-winningest team in the PBA’s developmental league.

La Salle did it by wiping out all rivals in nine outings for a perfect run to follow up its UAAP championship last year.

“First of all, I would like to thank the Lord for giving us this championship. We would like to thank the EcoOil management, the coaching staff and the players,” said assistant coach Gian Nazario in getting the job done after being trusted by head coach Topex Robinson to handle their D-League campaign.

The Green Archers ran away with a 98-76 win in Game 1 and proved no different the next match against the Scorpions side that missed the services of defensive ace Abdul Wahab Olusesi due to a left knee sprain.