ECOOIL-La Salle opened its three-peat bid with an emphatic 110-68 win over neophyte CCI-Yengskivel in the PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup opener Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Jonnel Policarpio tallied a near triple-double of 22 points on 10-of-14 shooting, 10 rebounds and seven assists in 21 minutes to lead the way for the defending champion Green Archers.
La Salle played without reigning D-League and UAAP MVP Quiambao but it hardly mattered as Aaron Buensalida, EJ Gollena and CJ Austria responded to the challenge. The trio combined for 45 points.
Quiambao is will not suit up for the tournament due to his hectic schedule as member of the Gilas Pilipinas.
La Salle also got seven points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two blocks from team captain Mike Phillips while new guys Vhoris Marasigan and Henry Agunanne tallied eight each.
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"I told the players before the start of the game that this is the first major tournament for us after winning the championship in the UAAP. This is gonna be something new to us," said deputy mentor Caloy Garcia.
"It's a challenge for us to develop the new players as early as now to give them time to adjust to playing within the system."
The two teams were tied at 9-all when the Green Archers went on a 20-7 run to pull away and practically took the fight from the Crusaders. (JBU)
The Scores:
EcoOil-La Salle 110 - Policarpio 22, Buensalida 16, Gollena 15, Austria 14, Maraisgan 8, Agunanne 8, Abadam 7, Phillips 7, Gaspay 4, Alian 4, David 3, Daja 2, Rubico 0.
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CCI-Yengskivel 68 - Tener 11, Buenaflor 9, Nuarin 8, Galvez 6, De Guzman 6, Esguerra 5, Dela Cruz 5, Manipolo 4, Talagtag 4, Verdadero 3, Jawili 3, Palma 2, Guray 2, Dever 0, Puzon 0.
Quarterscores: 29-16, 59-31, 93-54, 110-68.
