By: Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
People flocked the Jaro Plaza gym as the top two teams battled in a “clash of the undefeated”.
The showdown went to the ODM Sportswear squad’s favor, prevailing over a tough DPWH team, 91-80, in the Mayor Jerry P. Treñas Dinagyang Basketball Cup.
DPWH’s Rolly Jaca immediately stepped on the gas as he torched ODM early on with his deep shooting prowess and aggressiveness to the cup.
The addition of Colegio de Sta. Ana’s superstar, Jeff Manday, intensified DPWH’s guard rotation and provided extra firepower for the powerhouse team.
However, the chemistry and defense of ODM was evident the entire game and proved to be the difference-maker.
Miguel Sasuman’s backcourt pressure hounded Manday and JR Dulce that gained them a couple of stops and helped change the momentum of the game.
Also, Edward Dixon’s toughness down-low ignited ODM’s run, showing that he can bang bodies with the Ilonggo veterans.
The consistent style of play from ODM erased DPWH’s 8-point lead, taking over the lead in the final frame, 80-74, with 3:30 left in the game.
Veteran guard Matthew Montalvo iced the game with his clutch baskets that helped the ODM team go up 4-0 and remain as the only undefeated team in the Dinagyang Cup.
