La Salle, CEU go for the jugular

JCew Macalalag of EcoOil-DLSUgoes for a layup afainst two Go Torakku-St. Clare Collge defenders. PBA photo

La Salle, CEU go for the jugular

April 30, 2024 Theodore P. Jurado 123 views

THREE-PEAT seeking EcoOil-DLSU and surprise contender Centro Escolar University go for the jugular against Go Torakku-St. Clare and Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda, respectively, in a bid to arrange a PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup titular showdown today at the Ynares Sports Arena.

The unbeaten Green Archers are tipped to prevail over the Saints at 7:30 p.m. as another fiery duel looms between the Scorpions and the Red Lions in the 4:30 p.m. curtain raiser.

EcoOil-DLSU and CEU posted contrasting victories in the openers of their respective best-of-three semifinal series last Thursday.

Another win could pave the way for their championship face-off, also under a best-of-three format, starting on Thursday at the same Pasig venue.

The Green Archers, also kings of the UAAP, trounced the Saints, 85-65 win to stay unbeaten in six games and move closer to their third straight D-League finals appearance.

“It brings us closer to where we want to but the series is not over. Again, we have to respect St. Clare as a team and it will be the same respect in Game 2,” said EcoOil-DLSU assistant coach Gian Nazario.

The good news for the Green Archers is the potential return of two veterans Jonnel Policarpio (stomach flu) and EJ Gollena (hamstring), who both missed Game 1.

In the other bracket, the Scorpions’ dream upset over the fancied NCAA champion is shaping up closer to reality with a chance to cap it once and for all.

CEU, the newly-minted back-to-back UCAL champions, seemed to have the number of Marinero-San Beda in their two meetings so far, first a 72-63 win in the classifications to snatch the second seed and a 75-71 escape act in the series opener.

But that doesn’t mean the Scorpions will just lower their guard, especially against a formidable Red Lions crew capable of coming back if given a chance.

“We just have to keep ourselves grounded. Our job’s not yet over. We still have to win one more game,” said CEU coach Jeff Perlas.

“We just have to keep on believing that we belong here, that’s first. And at the same time, they have to bring that David inside them. We need one more inspiring win before looking ahead.”