MANILA – Ian Carl Gasacao of Tigbauan Ninjas emerged as the king of the JB Amateur Basketball League (JB ABL) slam dunk competition on Sunday at La Paz Open Gym in La Paz, Iloilo City.
The Iloilo City-native Gasacao bested CTG Commercial’s Joshua Maquiling and Toto Tia Ten/XYZ’s Menard Songcuya and Winefredo Fernandez in the two-round finale to rule the competition.
Gasacao, a former CenterPhil Montessori SilverKnights, and Hercor College Junior Jaguars center, got a perfect score from the judges in the first round of finals after converting a one-hander flush while jumping over two persons.
The 6-foot-3 Gasacao wowed the crowd further in the second round of the finale by connecting on a right one-handed flush while jumping over three persons to get another perfect score from the judges.
In the preliminary round, Gasacao, Songcuya, Fernandez, and Maquiling bested Reglyn Paclibar (Raflyn Sportswear/Marielle), Ronrei Tolentino (MGC Surplus Spareparts/Wildcats), Fritz Suclan (XYZ), Charles Taladtad (TJ “Cong Tawi” Basketball), Mark Kristian Jimenez (RC Sports/ Wildcats), Franc Steven Tono (Letran Asialink/E&C Trucking), Kein Apitong (Marielle Ball Club), Sherwin Diana (Guimaras Leopards), and Jonel Pecate (Langford Queens Ballclub).
“Hard work pays off,” Gasacao told Panay News. “I am glad na ‘yung ilang linggong preparation ko for this ay nagbunga ng championship. The opponents were tough as well so I am delighted that I came out on top.”
Ninjas’ coach Porsche Bernil, for her part, lauded the training and sacrifice put in by Gasacao these past few weeks after being invited to take part in the slam dunk competition.
“I admire din ‘yung kasipagan ni IC. The past few weeks he has been ready to get back sa condition since almost a year din siya walang training due to the pandemic,” Bernil said.
Bernil added that she will supervise Gasacao’s training in the coming weeks for him to get back in tip-top shape and tryout for Manila-based schools. Gasacao was previously recruited to play for the University of Santo Tomas but did not turn out well.
This was the second post-pandemic sporting event organized by JB ABL of Jayphet Balbacal following the three-point shootout event a few weeks ago where Tigbauan Ninjas’ Peter Traviña emerged as the overall champion./PN
