Daniel, Isaiah to duel for Genesis Cup

Daniel split its last two games to earn a return trip to the finals of the 2008 CIM-FCC Inter-Color Basketball League-3rd Genesis Cup.

Isaiah will be challenging Daniel in the one-game title showdown this Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. Both teams finished the three-round robin regular season with a 6-3 record.

Daniel secured the last finals berth after a 76-69 win over Ezekiel Friday. Sam Fernandez, Mike Umali, and Joel Ortega joined forces in lifting Daniel to a come-from-behind win.

Ezekiel led Daniel at halftime, 36-30, behind the combined 28 points of White Capalad and Ferdinand Galvan. Ezekiel took a six-point halftime advantage despite playing with only five players.

But Ezekiel failed to sustain its momentum in the second half due to lack of manpower. Daniel capitalized on Ezekiel’s depleted lineup, as Umali, Fernandez, and Ortega took turns in attacking the basket. The trio tallied 35 of Daniel’s 46 points in the second half to eke out a seven-point win.

Fernandez led all scorers with 23 points, while Umali and Alex Lauron chipped in 17 apiece. Ortega finished with 12 making 10 in the second half.

Daniel tried to go for back-to-back wins Saturday, but Jeremiah foiled the former’s bid with a 99-92 overtime win.

Amor Casabuena made the game-tying basket in the last 21 seconds of the fourth quarter, and Jeremiah held Daniel to three field goals in the extension period to pull off a victory.

Dante Olivos paced Jeremiah with 24 points, while Casabuena added 12. Pastor Noel Puno top-scored for Daniel with 16 markers.

Despite the win, the dethroned champion Jeremiah will only play in the consolation game against Ezekiel at 6pm. The title match is set for 7:30pm.

Jeremiah ended the regular season with a 5-4 slate, while Ezekiel had only one win in nine games.

Jeremiah won last year’s championship after pulling off an upset over Daniel, 105-84.

Meanwhile, organizers of the Genesis Cup would like to thanked the following for supporting the league: Calvary International Mission; Rev. Kok Hiong Pang; Division of Sports and Recreation director Joe Lizama; Coca-Cola, Reliance Construction; Mission Connection; God Victorious Church; Filipino Community Church; and Bill and Elibie Sewell.
[B] Friday’s Game[/B] [B]Daniel 76[/B]—Fernandez 23, Umali 17, Lauron 17, Ortega 12, Puno 6, Ong 6.
[B] Ezekiel 69[/B]—Galvan 27, Capalad 23, Chavez 16, Ramos 3.

[B]Scoring by halves:[/B] 30-36, 76-69
[B] Saturday’s Game[/B] [B] Jeremiah 99[/B]—D. Olivos 24, Casabuena 21, Manalo 12, Abuel 12, Buenabajo 10, Mercurio 7, Umali 7, E. Olivos 6.

[B]Daniel 92[/B]—Pastor 18, Umali 15, Culala 14, Talania 13, Ranola 8, Dela Paz 8, Ortega 6, Formales 6, Ong 2.
[B] Scoring by halves:[/B] 33-49, 85-all, 99-92.