Reigning champion EcoOil-La Salle steps up its drive for a third straight championship when it clashes against Go Torakku-St. Clare in Game 1 of their best-of-three semifinal series in the 2024 PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena.
The top-seed and back-to-back champions loom as the heavy favorites in the 4:30 p.m. duel after topping the eliminations with a perfect 5-0 slate to clinch an outright berth in the Final Four and move closer to their coveted goal.
La Salle trounced St. Clare, 90-63, back in the classification phase but don't count the Saints just yet.
"It's an opportunity for us to play and learn. We'll take it," said La Salle deputy coach Gian Nazario as the Green Archers try to continue their dominance.
The Green Archers are coming into the game with fresh legs and well rested after a week-long break, but Saints will have the momentum, coming off from a 114-106 win against CCI-Yengskivel in the quarterfinals last Monday.
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Go Torakku-St. Clare coach Jinino Manansala is keeping his fingers crossed that his troops will be able to cash-in on their advantage and give the Green Archers a run for their money.
"Kailangan namin magkaroon ng magandang execution vs La Salle. At the same time sa depensa, kailangan namin silang ma-stop kasi lahat sa kanila, pwedeng umiskor," said Manansala. (JBU)
