La Salle goes for D-league clincher

Game Thursday (Ynares Arena, Pasig City) 7:30 p.m. – Ecooil-la Salle vs CEU

Needing just a win to accomplish its goal, Ecooilla Salle sets out to deliver the knockout punch Thursday when it clashes with Centro Escolar University in Game 2 of their best-of-three titular series for the 2024 PBA D-league Aspirants’ Cup Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig, City.

And the Green Archers appeared unstoppable from claiming their third straight championship in the 7:30 p.m. showdown as Scorpions might be playing without big man Abdul Wahab Olusesi for the second straight game.

The two-time defending champs took advantage of the absence of Olusesi in Game 1 and walked away with 98-76 win over the UCAL champion CEU to stay unbeaten in seven games.

The Green Archers are looking to earn the distinction as the second winningest team in the league next only to NLEX, which holds the record for most tiles won at six.

“Winning a three-peat is the end goal. But Game 1 doesn’t give us the championship (yet),” said La Salle deputy mentor Gian Nazario, who will once again count on MVP candidates Jonnel Policarpio and Mike Phillips to get the job done.

“We still have to win one more game. It’s gonna be a feat if we get it but ayaw muna naming isipin ‘yun.”

That means the Green Archers have no room for complacency whether CEU plays with or without Olusesi.

The Nigerian big man sat out Game 1 due to sprained knee he suffered in the Scorpions’ 78-56 Game 3 win in the semifinals against Marinerong Pilipino-san Beda.