By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
After a month of waiting, the province of Capiz’s biggest basketball league finally kicked off last November 5, 2022, held at the Capiz Gymnasium, Roxas City.
The opening was graced by hundreds of Capiznon sports aficionados and basketball enthusiasts while the nine participating teams in the ODM Sinadya Cup were introduced and formally welcomed by Roxas City’s mayor Ronnie Dadivas.
Aside from mayor Dadivas’ presence, honorable Dr. Pip Acepcion and Board Member Pepe del Rosario also gave their words of encouragement and supported ODM’s basketball league.
After the formal opening of the Sinadya Cup, the DPWH Iloilo 2nd Deo immediately gave the Capiznons a treat after crushing Marinic Construction, 98-69.
France Tono, a member of the DPWH squad and the current superstar of the University of San Agustin Golden Eagles, stole the show and dropped 21 points, four assists, and three steals.
The high-flying shooting guard put on a show and made Roxas City explode with his acrobatic hang-time layups and a statement slam dunk to seal the win against Marinic.
During the second game, another Iloilo team grabbed a win as team Leprechauns decimated Romja Corgchi, 123-92.
Widely-renowned shooter Inno Miclat continued his three-point eruption and led all scorers with 37 points, four assists, and two steals.
Miclat put the crowd to their feet during the last quarter when he unloaded five-straight triples including two from way downtown.
Corgchi was still within striking distance but Miclat’s insane three-point splash party helped Leprechauns pull away and go home with the victory.
The last game of the opening was a matchup to be remembered as the Central Philippine University (CPU) Golden Lions stunned the star-studded MBM Construction, 80-67.
CPU is off a momentum-clinching championship title after bagging the recently concluded JB Amateur Basketball League (JB ABL) Season III School Wars college varsity category.
From the get-go, it was all CPU as the youngsters used a run-and-gun offensive approach to disrupt MBM’s game rhythm.
Wilmer Dalumpines quickly became the crowd favorite after winning the Krispy Bites player of the game with 16 points and eight rebounds.
Unfazed in facing several Maharlika ng Pilipinas Basketball League (MBPL) players, the Golden Lions scored a wire-to-wire win and didn’t allow MBM to retake the lead in the last three minutes of the game.
“Big thank you sa tanan nga nag attend, nag watch games, and nag support not only sang ODM Sinadya Cup but also show passion sa palangga naton nga sport. Thank you again kay nabawi gd ang amon kapoy sa paagi sang pag hatag sa inyo sang quality games. This is only the start, Capiz. Damo pa!” said ODM Sports League’s owner and commissioner Jeremiah Obera in an exclusive interview with the Daily Guardian.
