By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
As we go further in our JB ABL season II team run-down and analysis, the teams that I will be assessing are also getting more interesting.
Now that we are done with team Pepsi, CTG, Asialink, team Malditos, XYZ/TOTO-TIA-TEN, and the OJNA youngsters, let us tackle team ODM Monstars and the debutants in the league, the Medics.
Team ODM was considered as one of the Cinderella teams in the JB ABL season I after suffering successive defeats but later on got on track and started to pile up the wins. Even reaching the category I and category II crossover finals against the powerhouse Uniwheels Cars Display.
The late addition of scoring machine Estoy Lencioco to the team in the middle part of the first season was one of the major factors that helped the squad finish strong and reach the finals.
With mainstays Matthew Montalvo, Inno Miclat, Rush Rubin, O’dong Fegarido and Lencioco still in the roster, the team is expected to stay consistent and stay above the rankings.
However, with great acquisitions this season, I think team ODM can improve from staying above the rankings to becoming the next JB ABL season II champions.
Miguel Sasuman, probably the best collegiate player in Iloilo right now, has pledged his allegiance to the team and shocked the whole JB ABL community.
Sasuman’s versatility will allow ODM to run multiple play styles especially with a deep guard rotation of Montalvo, Rubin, Miclat.
Aside from Sasuman, team ODM also got the services of former Asliank swingman, Wilmer Dalumpines.
Dalumpines’ energy and all-around effort is a big plus to the team, and besides, who doesn’t want an all-around guy in his squad?
With the guard and forward positions already bulked up, team ODM made sure that their post presence would be as dominant as their perimeter and with that, acquired star big men Jesse Sullano and Maymay Parohinog.
These two are no longer strangers in the city, with Sullano anchoring the CPU Golden Lions post and Parohinog, a former PRISAA and CARPRISAA champion.
Probably the best big men trio in the league, Parohinog, Sullano, and Lencioco will have no problem blending in with the team after having led team ODM to a third-place finish during the Dinagyang Basketball Cup.
No doubt, team ODM’s standing this JB ABL II would be a “Yay” for me, just their cohesion and chemistry alone as a team can lift them to greater heights.
Also, the individual skill-set that the ODM roster has is overwhelming, knowing that from the first string up to the last stringers, all can play ball and give tough competition.
Moving on, one of the new teams to join the league, the team Medics, will try to start their debut season on a high note.
Led by veteran coach Gerardo Mosquera, team Medics, who are mostly comprised of Iloilo Doctors College varsity players, will be testing the waters in the JB ABL II.
Known to be one of the most-disciplined squads in Iloilo basketball, team Medics’ brand of basketball relies on their fluid offensive sets drawn by their main orchestrator, coach Mosquera.
Led by main gunners’ RJ Salvado, Nikolai Arro, and Jade Jardio, the cohesiveness and chemistry the team possesses is already tested and proven with the numerous leagues this squad already joined.
I think the main edge that this team has is its discipline.
Patiently running their plays, doubling their effort on the defensive end, and listening to their coach’s order, that’s what makes team Medics a dark horse in the league.
Verdict? The squad would be a “Yay” for me, considering that they already have the experience of joining the big leagues including Dinagyang.
The team plays like one. As a system, and that is their identity as team Medics.
Get excited, because in the next episode, we are down to the last two teams, so stay tuned!
