Dynamic Metals batch captures 3rd SJI cagefest

AN INSPIRED performance from Alvin Dionela in the final minutes of the game gave Dynamic Metals Batch 2006/07/08 the victory and the crown against Jollibee Batch 90/91/92 in the 3rd SJI Alumni Association Basketball Friendship Cup title played at the Msgr. John B. Liu Activities Center.

The final score, 74-66, erased the first quarter sizzling performance of Peewee Demonteverde, who was virtually unstoppable as he scored 18 points for Jollibee for a 24-19 lead, despite Benjo Taneo and Danty Ma's 13-point combined output for Dynamic.

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But after an Archie Co jump shot that gave Jollibee a 28-21 lead, the team's offense went on a tailspin as the players missed all their six free throws and failed to score in the next six minutes to surrender the lead to Dynamic at the half, 35-30.

Adding to the demise of Jollibee was the early penalty situation at the 5:54 mark and with Co spraining his ankle. Jollibee was forced to play four against five for majority of the quarter.

Dynamic's Axel Yao delivered eight straight points, including a back-to-back triple as Dionela scored the last three points for 2006-08 to take the lead at the break.

In the third quarter, the troika of Brian Coo, Raymund Lacson and Marvin Ortiz engineered a 12-1 opening quarter run to extend Dynamic lead to 47-31.

Poor free throw shooting continued to hound Jollibee even as the team relied on Bol Manaloto and Richard Co to deliver 10 of the last 12 points of the team as they trailed Dynamic at 57-42.

Demonteverde ran amuck in the final quarter as he fired 16 points to keep the offense of 90/91/92 afloat, but timely hits by Dynamic including Dionela's eight straight points in one stretch stymied the comeback as 2006-08 remained on top 69-57 with 2:15 left.

A Mark Coo lay-up and a Charles Del Castillo's put-back restored the lead back to 15 points even as Demonteverde tried to reverse the outcome of the game but failed in the end.

Dionela topscored for Dynamic with 13 points, while Demonteverde has delivered 34 points for the losing squad.

Brian Coo went home with the Most Valuable Player award.

The commissioner is Coach Ireneo Morales with referees from the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas headed by Felipe Batog officiating in the games. (With Stephen Tan)