MARINERONG Pilipino-San Beda rode on a strong first half to beat Wangs Basketball@27 Striker Letran, 79-65, in the deciding Game 3 of their semifinal duel and advance to the Finals of the 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The Red Lions were simply awesome. They outshot, outworked and outhustled the Knights in a game that surprisingly appeared so easy for San Beda as Letran struggled for its rhythm all game.
Their second straight win in the best of three series sent the Red Lions to a title showdown against defending champion EcoOil La Salle . The best-of-three series starts on Thursday.
"Hindi nag-relax 'yung mga players. Sabi ko lang sa kanila, don't' stop playing for 48 minutes at nilagay nila 'yun sa puso nila. Noong Game 1, huminto kami," said coach Yuri Escueta.
"Credits go to our players. It's their effort. Ang sabi ko lang sa kanila, kahit lumamang kami ng malaki, it's how we sustain it. Nag-focus lang kami sa depensa at naging smart on offense the whole game."
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San Beda was all business from the get go and was visibly in complete control from the time it took a huge 46-39 advantage at the end of the first half.
The Knights, who took Game 1 in overtime, never got the chance to take the lead and were disappointing on both ends.
Letran shot 10 of 29 in the first while committing 12 turnovers that translated into 20 big points for San Beda.
James Piyosing topscored for San Beda with 23 points, including a 3-point shot that gave the Red Lions a commanding 53-36 advantage midway in the third.
Damie Cuntapay chipped in 11 points and Yukien Andrada added 10 for San Beda, which shot 45 percent from the field as compared to Letrans 34 percent. The Red Lions also outrebounded the Knights, 47-36.
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Kurt Reyson showed the way for Letran with 19 points but shot just 4 of 19 from the field. Vince Cuajao had 13 and Neil Guano added 10.(JBU)
The Scores:
Marinero-San Beda 79 - Payosing 23, Cuntapay 11, Andrada 10, Alfaro 7, Jopia 7, Gallego 6, Puno 6, Visser 4, Cortez 3, Royo 2, Tagle 0, Alloso 0, Jalbuena 0, Tagala 0, Teruel II 0.
Wangs-Leran 65 - Reyson 19, Cuajao 13, Guarino 10, Santos 7, Tolentino 5, Morales 5, Go 4, Monje 2, Laquindanum 0. Brillantes 0, Bojorcelo 0.
Quarterscores: 22-12, 46-29, 61-50, 79-65.
