By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Kudos to team MBM Construction. They did the major adjustments that proved to be effective in Game 2 but team Phat Ass was just built differently.
Trailing by nine points with three minutes left in the second game of the On D’ Move (ODM) Sinadya Cup Monster Division championship, team Phat Ass weathered the storm and pulled off one of the best hoops comebacks to stun MBM Construction, 87-86, last December 15, 2022, held at the Dinggoy Roxas Civic Center in Roxas City, Capiz.
It was a hostile atmosphere for Phat Ass after MBM Construction built a nine-point lead, 83-74, built from Jesan Dela Cruz’s back-to-back three-pointers and a massive follow-up dunk from Arben Dionson.
Just when MBM Construction thought they could force a do-or-die Game 3, team Phat Ass did the unthinkable and played disciplined hoops in the last three minutes of the game.
Charles Pepito began Phat Ass’ offensive snowball that trimmed MBM Construction’s lead to seven points, followed by a stop-and-pop three-pointer from last game’s Best Player, John Ondevilla.
After Phat Ass’ quick 5-0 burst, head coach Jay Pisuena was quick to call a timeout in hopes of disrupting the opposition’s offensive rhythm.
The timeout proved to be effective after Dionson nailed a clutch shot from downtown that ballooned MBM Construction’s lead back to six points with only a minute left.
However, Ondevilla stole the show and proved why he is the league’s best player after pulling Phat Ass within a point, 86-85, courtesy of his two made shots from the charity stripe and a huge bomb from the three-point area off an Edward Dixon missed layup.
MBM Construction had the chance to balloon their lead but their inbounding pass was stolen by no other than Ondevilla who immediately rushed to their basket for a layup but got fouled.
Ondevilla was sent to the line for two pressure-packed free throws but the super scorer was able to sink both of his shots which gave Phat Ass the 87-86 lead of the game.
MBM Construction had one last chance to generate the game-winning shot but former MPBL player John Rey Villanueva was caught stepping in the right sideline.
After the inbounder threw the ball and the buzzer sounded, team Phat Ass ran to the center of the court and jumped in celebration.
Ondevilla was hailed as the Finals MVP after tallying 28 big points and will take home a Suzuki Smash motorcycle sponsored by Dancorr Car Care Center, Dale’s Kitchenette, A’s Car Accessories and City Councilor Koks Chu.
“Dako gd nga pasalamat akon sa tanan nga nag believe sa akon league and sa tanan nga teams nga nag hatag salig sa organization sang ODM Sports League. Congratulations both teams, well deserved nyo ina. Embrace nyo ang natabo sa Sinadya Cup anay, for the spirit of Christmas,” said Jeremiah Obera, ODM’s commissioner and owner in an exclusive interview with the Daily Guardian.
