Close wins for Ezekiel, Caleb

Ezekiel and Caleb pulled off similar close wins in the 4th Genesis Cup Christian Churches Inter-Color Basketball League to remain at the top half of the team standings.

Caleb’s Nathan Huddleston, right, and Joseph Gatdula play tough defense on Samuel’s Eric Abragan during the first half of their game in the 4th Genesis Cup last Monday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.
(Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Caleb eked out a 5-point victory over Samuel, 69-64, in the second game last Monday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium, while Ezekiel earned the same winning margin against Jeremiah, 85-80, last Monday. Caleb now has a 3-1 record for solo second place in the eight-team field, while Ezekiel holds a 2-2 mark for a tie for third place with Gideon.

Ezekiel drew double figures from four players to outclass the winless Jeremiah (0-4). Mike Surima sizzled for 28 points, consistently leading Ezekiel’s offense as he made 15 in the first half and 13 in the second. Vhoie Francia hit all his 14 markers in the second half, while Brendon Perez and Roy Alcantara combined for 15 in the final frame and finished with 13 and 16, respectively.

Genero Lansangan led Jeremiah’s losing cause, firing 23, while Mark Rabago added 20 and Jay Nunag chipped in 16. Jeremiah drilled five triples in the first half to lead by 9 points, 47-38, with only 20 minutes left to play.

Jeremiah nailed three more triples in the second half, but only Lansangan converted more than two field goals for the team, while Ezekiel had a balanced offense to deny the former entry to the win column.

In last Monday’s second match, Caleb leaned on young gun Nathan Borromeo to thwart Samuel (0-4).

Borromeo, who suits up for Saipan Southern High School in the MISO caging, came off the bench and scored 10 points in the first half. He started in the second half and played better, knocking in three triples and posting 14 more points to lift Caleb to its third win in four matches.

Rodel Morales and Michael Cabanas provided enough support to Borromeo. Morales finished with 17 points, 11 of them were registered in the first half, while Cabanas had 14, 8 were made in the second half. The trio’s string of points in the second half allowed Caleb to take the win after the game ended in a deadlock at the break, 37-all.

Jerome Reyes and Ronnie Gueverra posted 18 points each to pace Samuel, which is still winless in four games. Jing Bordon added 16 for Samuel, which will try to barge into the win column tomorrow when it faces Joshua (1-3) in the second game of the night. In the first match, co-leader Isaiah (4-0) will duel Caleb.

Friday
Ezekiel 85 – Surima 28, Alcantara 16, Francia 14, Perez 13, Irog 9, Conti 5.

Jeremiah 80 – Lansangan 23, Rabago 20, Nunag 16, Formales 8, Deang 7, Cabaoas 6.

Scoring by halves: 47-38, 85-80.

Monday
Caleb 69 – Borromeo 24, Morales 17, Cabanas 14, Banaci 6, Gatdula 4, Castro 2, Ocanada 2, Huddleston 2, Carpio 1.

Samuel 64 – Reyes 18, Guevarra 18, Bordon 16, Ponce 4, Pacia 4, Calibo 2, Belgado 2, Bonquin 2.

Scoring by halves: 37-37, 69-64.