MANILA – Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda set up a finals date with defending champion EcoOil-La Salle in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup after beating Wangs-Letran, 79-65, in the rubber match of their semifinal series at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig on Thursday.
Just like in Game 2 of their best-of-three tie, the Red Lions built a huge lead which they held on to until the end.
The Knights still tried to claw back and cut the lead down to 79-65 from a high of 21 (76-55) only to fizzle in the end.
James Payosing led Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda with 23 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and one steal, while Damie Cuntapay added 11 points, nine rebounds and two assists.
Game 1 of the Red Lions-Green Archers best-of-three series for the D-League championship is set next Thursday at the same venue.
EcoOil-La Salle swept Perpetual Help to first barge into the finals.
Letran bounced back from 24-point deficit to take the opener in overtime, 93-87, but San Beda scored a 74-51 win in Game 2 on Tuesday to force the rubber match.
"Syempre gusto naming mabigay ‘tong championship na 'to sa Beda, pero alam namin hindi magiging madali (Of course we want to give this championship to Beda, but we know it won’t be easy) playing against La Salle," Marinero-San Beda coach Yuri Escueta said. (PNA)
