By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Soon as Ian Carl Gasacao pulled three other competitors for his final dunk, everyone in Lapaz gym began to shout “champion” anticipating that the final dunk would mean the championship.
It was another successful event by JB Amateur Basketball League (JB ABL), managing to gather the best dunkers in Western Visayas in the second of the series of events that commissioner Jayphet Balbacal is planning as a treat for the Ilonggos.
The Lapaz gym was filled with “oohs” and “aahs” as the 13 youthful high-leapers showed power and grace during the first round of the competition.
Some names stood out immediately and became favorites for the crowd. Winifredo Fernandez’s (Toto Tia Ten XYZ) sideway reverse slam, Gasacao’s (Tigbauan Ninjas) leaning windmill and Joshua Maquiling’s (CTG Commercial) 180 slam got the loudest reactions from the crowd.
During the second round, Fritz Suclan (Toto Tia Ten XYZ) began to roll after pulling-off his near free-throw line take-off dunk attempt.
Suclan, Fernandez, Maquiling, and Gasacao were then selected to compete in the championship round.
As the championship round began, Gasacao turned into a beast and put on a spectacular show after executing two of his dunks to perfection.
Gasacao leaped over two people in the first round and saved his best for last in the final round after soaring for a slam jumping over three other competitors.
With the win, team Tigbauan Ninjas are now back-to-back winners in the JB ABL events after Peter Traviña was named champion during the three-point shootout last month.
“After three points, dunk naman. Tigbauan Ninjas team loves challenges. We will be waiting for the skills challenge naman!” said Tigbauan Ninjas head Mary Ann Portia Bernil.
Gasacao received the plaque after being named the JB ABL Slam Dunk King and was awarded a bunch of freebies and prizes including cash prize, one night stay at Tely’s Bed and Breakfast, free dinner at Stella PH, Pepsi products, ODM Sportswear freebies, and CTG Commercial perfume.
“Gapasalamat gd kami kay natigayun kag successful ang aton Slam Dunk. Para ini sa inyo nga mga Ilonggo, indi para sa amon kaugalingon. I hope you will still support JB ABL because ater sang three-points kag dunk, may ara pa kita skills challenge kag 3-on-3. See you naman!” said commissioner Balbacal in an exclusive interview with Daily Guardian.
