Successful debut for Caleb, Elijah in FCC

Caleb and Elijah put up strong performances in their debuts in the Filipino Community Church 2nd Inter-Color Basketball League Thursday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

In the opener, Caleb got a huge lift from the one-two punch of Leo Barrios and Art Salazar and the team was able to whip Gideon with ease, 87-53.

It didn’t take much time for Caleb to become the front runner as the team dominated the first quarter courtesy of the fire power of Ferdie Tobias, Salazar, Orlan Tengco, Ronald Delos Reyes, and Barrios. All punched in at least two baskets and the squad held the opposition to just four buckets for a 23-8 lead after the first 10 minutes of play.

Both teams struggled in the second period as the two combined for just 15 points, with Caleb scoring a point more than Gideon for a 31-15 halftime lead.

The scoring pace picked up in the third, but only from Caleb’s corner as the team added another 23 points to their total, Barrios and Salazar scoring eight and six points to lead the way. Gideon only managed 10 points, and as a result, Caleb started the fourth with a commanding 54-25 lead.

It was cruise control from there as Barrios and Salazar continued to punch in points to spearhead Caleb to victory despite the Gideon players breaking out of their scoring slump in the fourth.

Barrios and Salazar finished with 24 and 19 points, while Delos Reyes pumped in 11 points for Caleb.

Jerrfel Mangahis paced Gideon with 12 points, while Jing Bordon and Ian Obnimaga added 10 points apiece.

In the second game, Elijah rallied from a nine-point halftime deficit and held off a strong charge by Nehemiah in the finals minutes for an 83-79 victory.

After a even-played first quarter that ended with the two teams tied at 18-18, Nehemiah was able to grab control as veterans Elbyn Cecilla, Badong Camacho, and Melvin Capalad combined for 20 points to help the team take a 42-33 halftime lead.

The lead quickly evaporated in the third despite Capalad scoring nine points as only Jon Artates was able to punch in a triple for Nehemiah. With their opponents struggling, Elijah seized the opportunity and outscored the opposition, 28-13, to erase the deficit and turn it into a 61-55 advantage.

Both teams were gunning in the final quarter, but Elijah was able to get crucial baskets by Bart Demapan and Andy Mortos to hold on for the win.

Demapan and Mortos led Elijah with 22 and 21 points, while Sonny Lerio and Ruther Demegillo added 20 and 12 points.

Capalad scored a game-high 25 points, while Cecilla and Camacho added 15 and 13 points for Nehemiah.

Caleb 87 – Barrios 24, Salazar 19, Delos Reyes 11, Tengco 9, Tobias 8, Samson 4, Ilahi 4, Buenabajo 4, Flores 2, Echavez 2.

Gideon 53 – Mangahis 12, Bordon 10, Obnimaga 10, Angeles 9, Pineda 6, Cortez 3, Guarda 2, Mautucio 1.

Scoring by quarters: 23-8, 31-15, 54-25, 87-53.
[B] Second Game[/B]

Elijah 83 – Demapan 22, Mortos 21, Lerio 20, Demegillo 12, Siriban 4, De Leon 2, Domingo 2.

Nehemiah 79 – Capalad 25, Cecilla 15, Camacho 13, Artates 9, Llagas 4, Badilles 4, Olayres 3.

Scoring by quarters: 18-18, 33-42, 61-55, 83-79.