Isaiah wins opener in Genesis Cup

Isaiah-Mission Correction Ministry edged Ezekiel-Victorious Christian Church, 70-65, in the opening game in the 3rd CIM-FCC Inter-Color Basketball League-Genesis Cup Friday night at the CIM-FCC Basketball Court in Gualo Rai.

Ezekiel controlled the game in the first half, but Isaiah found its rhythm in the second half to nail a five-point win.

Orlando Artiaga provided the needed spark for Isaiah in the second half, drilling 18 of his total points in the last 20 minutes of the game. Artiaga finished with 22 markers.

James Wabinga also helped Isaiah’s cause, as he matched Artiaga’s output.

Wabinga kept Isaiah afloat in the first half, hitting 14 markers.

Ezekiel was ahead at halftime, 33-32, behind Kae Bernardo’s 17 first-half points. M.J. Capalad and Allan Chavez added six apiece.

Bernardo and Capalad continued to sizzle in the second half, firing 10 markers apiece, while Rocky Topacio made all his 11 markers in that period.

But the trio failed to get support from the rest of its teammates, as Brendon Perez was the only other Ezekiel player to score in the second half and had only a point.

In contrast, Wabinga and Artiaga, drew help from four players with Oyo Mendoza adding four, Dindo Pablo and Jeremy Tamayo chipping in three apiece, and Bart Demapan contributing two.

Bernardo led all scorers with 27 points, while Capalad and Topacio had 16 and 11 markers, respectively.

This year’s Genesis Cup has four teams competing for the championships.

Last season’s pennant champion Daniel will duel Joshua in the next match on Friday.

Games in the Genesis Cup are played every Friday and Saturday.

The four participating teams will be playing in a three-round robin regular season with the top two teams squaring off in the winner-take-all finals. The last two placers will duel for the third place trophy.

Ezekiel, Daniel, Joshua and Isaiah were among the 10 teams that participated in the 2007 edition of the Genesis Cup.

Last year’s champion was Jeremiah, who beat Daniel in the finals, 105-84. Joshua defeated Caleb in the battle for third place, 95-90.

Other teams that joined last season’s Genesis Cup were Nehemiah, Elijah, Gideon, Hosea, and Samuel.
[B] Isaiah 70[/B] – Wabinga 22, Artiaga 22, Tamayo 7, Mendoza 6, Demapan 6, Ramos 4, Pablo 3.
[B] Ezekiel 65[/B] – Bernardo 27, Capalad 16, Topacio 11, Chavez 6, Perez 3, Lunzaga 2.