EcoOil-La Salle and Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda pulled off similar easy victories over their respective rivals to serve notice of their title aspirations in the opener of the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup opener at the Filoil-EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Despite missing the services of ace Archer Kevin Quiambao, the Taft-based dribblers proved to be too much to handle as they blew past CCI-Yengkivel, 110-68.
In the absence of the Gilas Pilipinas rising star, it was Jonnel Policarpio, who stepped up big and played a brilliant, all-around game.
He posted near triple-double performance by ending up with 22 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.
Backing up Policarpio were Aaron Buensalida, EJ Gollena and CJ Austria, who connived for 45 points.
Marinerong Pilipino, on the other hand, banked on its balance scoring as Omeli Puno, Yukien Andrada and Bryan Sajonia each tallied 12 points in dealing Go Torrakku-St. Clare College a sound beating, 92-59.
The Red Lions jumped the gun early on their rivals, leading 22-6 and refusing to look back from there on.
