MICHAEL Philips scored 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds and EcoOil-La Salle crushed Keanzel Basketball, 144-75, on Thursday to secure its place in the semifinals of the 2024 PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The Green Archers dominated the game from the get-go and never gave their opponents any chance to make it interesting.
All 14 players fielded in by the two-time defending champions scored with seven tallying double digits as the Green Archers stayed unbeaten in four games.
CJ Austria scored 17 points, Jonnel Policarpio had 16, Jake Gaspay tallied 13, EJ Gollena added 12, while Vhoris Marasigan and Raven Cortez had 11 apiece for the EcoOil-La Salle, which could sweep the six-team, single round eliminations with another victory against Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda Thursday next week.
Only the top two teams after the eliminations will earn outright passage into the semifinals.
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"Ayaw namin mawala kami sa sistema. We're trying to learn every game. Now we move on to NCAA champion San Beda. That's our focus," said assistant La Salle coach Caloy Garcia.
La Salle underscored its dominance by taking a 70-39 edge on rebounds, 41-16 advantage in assists and had a 28-9 edge in steals. The Green Archers trapping defense also earned them 48 fastbreak points while holding Keanzel to 31 percent shooting.
Alfren Gayosa scored 16 points while Dominic Panlilio and Denzel Jensen Wong had 11 apiece for Keanzel which remains winless in four games. (JBU)
The Scores:
EcoOil-La Salle 144 - Phillips 22, Austria 17, Policarpio 16, Gaspay 13, Gollena 12, Marasigan 11, Cortez 11, Buensalida 9, Macalalag 7, Abadam 7, Alian 7, David 5, Daja 5, Rubico 2.
Keanzel 75 - Gayosa 17, Panlilio 11, Wong 11, Maurillo 10, Ceniza 6, Baclig 6, Villamor 4, Alina 3, Yambao 3, Alota 2, Ibo 2, Advincula 1, Camay 0, Romero 0.
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Quarterscores: 34-14, 63-42, 105-58, 144-75.
