DPWH punches early ticket to Dinagyang Basketball Finals

DPWH’s Sanjo Landry attempts one of his many free throws after forcing his way in the paint (Leobert Julian A. de la Peña)

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The number one team in the Mayor Jerry P. Treñas Dinagyang Basketball Cup has lived up to the expectations by reaching the finals ahead of the pack.

Escaping a determined Guimaras Leopards squad, 108-101, DPWH needed each and everyone’s A-game to seal the victory.

The DPWH squad trailed by as much as 12 points at the start of the third quarter but their import Landry Sanjo went unconscious and bullied his way underneath against the entire Leopards frontline.

Imposing his dominance inside, DPWH then decided to dump the ball to Sanjo and let him work which paid off big time as he was able to draw tons of fouls.

However, DPWH found themselves in trouble as Sanjo started to have shooting woes at the charity stripe that put their offensive motion stagnant.

Guimaras then capitalized as they pushed the pace harder during their possessions that resulted in several open layups converted by RL Cartel and Jefrey Espinosa.

Performing when his team needed him the most, veteran shooter Rolly Jaca torched Guimaras in the fourth with his series of difficult step backs and contested treys.

DPWH then took the momentum away from Guimaras as they started to build a lead and make the last final push to claim the victory and the finals berth.