By: Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The J. Cordon/DPWH squad survived the young and high-leaping Iloilo Doctor’s College/SBC team, 103-90, in their first game of the Mayor Jerry P. Treñas Dinagyang Basketball Cup.
IDC/SBC started to attack DPWH’s interior and drove aggressively drawing fouls that gave them the early edge, 25-21, in the opening frame.
Despite the scoring onslaught IDC/SBC drew in the first half, the veteran DPWH team had an answer and played with veteran savvy due to being undermanned with just 7 players.
With the game deadlocked 44 all at the half, veteran big men Michael Balbarada and Jhepoy Balleza started the attack for DPWH in the second half.
Too big, too strong, and more experienced, Balbarada and Balleza dominated every matchup they faced even against double teams.
The hot outing of Balbarada and Balleza ignited their team for a massive run to pull-away against the youngsters.
John Samones and JR Dulce provided the finishing touches for DPWH to notch their first win in the tournament.
