By Jaime Joshua A. Frias II
Contributor
THE return of the streetball challenge in Cagayan de Oro saw the triumphant finish of the ORJ- CDO 1 ballers powered by the explosive tandem of Lawrence Roda and Edgie Abella.
This, as the ORJ CDO 1 orchestrated a come-from-behind 15-14 victory over DonBacs in the 21-under final of the 1st IAM 98 3x3 Basketball Tournament held recently at the Barangay Nazareth gym in Cagayan de Oro City.
Roda logged in 10 points to lead ORJ CDO 1 as Abella chipped in three, including his heroic basket with time ticking away.
Down by four in the home stretch, ORJ fought back with Roda hitting back-to-back 2-pointers to level the score at 14-all.
Donbacs just went cold the rest of the way when Abella scored and fished a foul with 18 seconds left.
Abella missed his free throw but his last basket was enough to win the game after Ric Ryan Bandoles bungled a potential game-tying attempt in the dying seconds.
Also in a tight match, ADM composed of Jareene Sumagaysay, Ian Fabro, AJ Daigdigan, and Juzair Magarang survived a tough challenge from the XU Crusaders A, 9-7 in the 12-under championship.
In other results, Lotus Café anchored by Kim Baring, Joshua Oro, Joshua Pimentel, and Lexus Manzanares demolished Ladra, 15-4 to clinch the 18-under title.
Namit Lechon Manok comprised of Asi Ludvig Decatoria, Yusri Amsani, Carlos Medel, and Pol Allen Flores crushed XU Crusaders, 11-6 for the 16-under diadem.
In the inter-batch alumni division, Team Chopsuey made it to the ABL division final undefeated but won the crown after a thrilling showdown with Batch 2002, 17-15.
“Games were exciting. We had great numbers in attendance and we're expecting a promising and more challenging competition in the second season," said the league table official Lourdielord Ampo, also an alumni member of IAM98.
For his part, IAM 98 president Viktor Ocampo thanked all the sponsors and the teams for supporting the league.
“Salamat sa tanan nga nisalig,” said Ocampo.
