Green Archers topple Letran for Aspirants’ Cup semi-finals berth
The EcoOil — De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers wrapped up their 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup with a 5–1 record after toppling the Wangs Basketball — Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL) Knights, 102–79, earlier today at the Ynares Sports Arena. La Salle’s victory grants them a direct semi-final berth alongside fellow five-win team the Marinerong Pilipino — San Beda University (SBU) Red Lions.
Mark Nonoy opened the scoring with a corner three-pointer just 15 seconds into the ballgame, which Kobe Bryan Monje matched over a minute later. Prince Alao’s triple forced the Knights to call for an early timeout as La Salle held a 10–3 lead. Kevin Quiambao’s wing triple at the 6:19 mark further extended DLSU’s lead to double-digits as the Green-and-White looked unstoppable on offense. The Green Archers’ defense and superior rebounding caused problems for Letran, who only crossed the ten-point mark after six minutes.
DLSU’s fast-paced style of play and emphasis on ball movement resulted in a number of wide-open or mismatched shot attempts which they promptly converted. A Flagrant 1 and Technical were called on Kyle Tolentino and Marc Javillonar, respectively, after a sequence of unnecessary contact initiated by the former. The Green Archers were unable to capitalize on the extra free throws as Letran mounted a run towards the end of the first quarter, trailing La Salle 27–19.
An early EJ Gollena three-pointer restored his team’s ten-point advantage but Kurt Reyson immediately answered back by converting his and-one opportunity. Bright Nwankwo added himself to the highlight reel after finishing off a 2-on-1 fastbreak with a jam through contact. Both squads were deep into foul trouble not even halfway into the second, with DLSU putting Letran into the penalty just three minutes in. The Knights experienced a shooting epidemic as they couldn’t stop La Salle’s lead from getting out of hand, also thanks in large part to their multiple costly turnovers. DLSU continued their dominance all the way to the end of the half leading by a massive 21-point margin, 55–34.
Two careless fouls on Reyson, who pulled up from three-point range on both occasions, gave Letran six free points in the first minute of the third as they cut their deficit to 16. Joseph Bojorcelo converted his and-one free throw and made it nine straight for the Knights before Quiambao picked up La Salle’s first basket of the second half at the 8:21 mark. Another sequence of physicality involving M. Phillips, Javillonar, and Rafael Go resulted in a technical foul on the latter. The Green Archers’ shooting cooled off from their above .500 display in the first half, but Letran’s scoring woes and foul numbers kept their sizeable advantage safe. Turnovers and subpar shooting plagued both teams through the rest of the third period as La Salle entered the final frame still ahead, 75–55.
Letran were in severe foul trouble at the onset of the fourth as they registered four team fouls in the first two minutes. The Green Archers’ depth was one of their biggest strengths all game, as seemingly any rotation on the floor resulted in complete two-way dominance. The Knights’ defense vastly improved especially against DLSU’s interior attack, but at that point in the game, the score was already out of reach. Fueled by Nonoy’s sixth sense providing momentum-breaking steals, La Salle kept up their pace and never gave Letran room to breathe until the very last whistle. DLSU wrapped up the match in dominant fashion from start to finish, picking up a 102–79 win.
