Defending champion EcoOil-La Salle and Centro Escolar University begin their titular showdown for the 2024 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Monday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Game 1 of the best-of-three series is set at 7:30 p.m.
The Green Archers advanced to their third straight finals appearance with a short work of Go Torakku-St. Clare in their semifinal series while the Scorpions reached the Finals by stunning Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda in the other semifinal matchup that went to a deciding Game 3.
The two-time defending champions boast a perfect record of seven straight victories including a lopsided 89-61 win against CEU in the classifications round.
But La Salle assistant coach Gian Nazario, who call the shots for the Green Archers in the tournament, those seven wins are behind them now, insisting anything can happen in the Finals.
“We still have to win two games to get the championship,” said Nazario.
CEU coach Jeff Perlas knows well the odds are against them but remains confident his troops will rise to the occasion.
“Medyo bwinenas tayo at nakapag-gatecrash tayo. Hopefully, we can take down another Goliath in La Salle,” said Perlas, who will be counting on the steady play and leadership Franz Ray Diaz, Abdul-Wahab Olusesi, Daniel Marcelo and Jerome Santos.
“We just have to work hard. We still have another round to inspire other people and small schools.” (JBU)
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