By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The stage was set.
Champions from the Elite I and Elite II divisions of the JB Amateur Basketball League squared up for another round of basketball in the crossover edition of the tournament.
Relying on their depth, Uniwheels Cars Display outlasted the hot shooting ODM Sportswear squad to grab the title in the battle of champions, 102-94
It was ODM who controlled the pace early courtesy of their hot three-point shooting. Inno Miclat led the perimeter attack, dropping long-distance shots from all over the court.
ODM still led by 6 going into the second period but Seguia of Uniwheels dropped two straight three-pointers that equalized the game, 25 all.
It was a trade of firepower for the rest of the game as Miclat, Rush Rubin, and Jovie Faeldan continued their onslaught from deep. But Pusoy Arenal of Uniwheels had other plans, dropping a staggering 37 points to lead his team to the win.
In the final frame, Uniwheels’ depth began to show as they pressured the undermanned ODM squad into tough shots while converting numerous turnovers into easy baskets.
Istoy Lencioco of ODM struggled against the size and strength of Uniwheels as he was bodied hard by Mark Ceniza and King Belostrino.
Miclat of ODM, Jayjay Guanzon of OJNA, Belostrino and Arenal of Uniwheels, and Ralph Bajon of Asialink were all named JB ABL mythical five.
