Caleb vs Daniel in Genesis Cup finale

No finals rematch.

Isaiah’s Walter Brillo is double-teamed by Caleb’s Rodel Morales, right, and Nathan Huddleston, second left, during the first half of their semis game in the 4th Genesis Cup last Friday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Caleb denied Isaiah a return trip to the finals after bagging a 71-65 win in their semis duel in the 4th Genesis Cup Christian Churches Inter-Color Basketball League last Friday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium, while Daniel earned a chance to defend its championship following a 68-56 victory against Gideon in the other Final Four pairing.

Caleb secured the finals berth in the revival of the league and eliminated Isaiah, which lost to Daniel in the 2008 championship match, 76-92, after gaining cushion in the closing minutes of the first half.

Michael Cabanas and Nathan Borromeo took turns in drilling multiple baskets that helped Caleb turn a shaky 25-21 lead to a double-digit spread at the break, 39-25. Caleb had a 14-4 windup in the last five minutes and change of the first half, which ended with Borromeo breaking into double figures with his 10 points off two triples and two more long jumpers. Cabanas added 9 and most of them came off drives. Joseph Gatdula, Arvin Bacani, Rodel Morales, and Edison Castro chipped in 4 apiece to back up Cabanas and Borromeo in the first 20 minutes of play.

Isaiah, in the other hand, leaned on Fred Fatialofa’s inside game to stay in the match before the late meltdown in the second half. Fatialofa had 8 early points, but had limited touches past the halfway mark of the first half, as Isaiah’s guards tried to take over, but had little success.

Marlo Ibanez and Walter Brillo, who scored in twin digits in the second half, attempted to mount an Isaiah comeback, but failed to draw enough support from their teammates. Only one of the five other scorers for Isaiah in the second half made more than one field goal, while Fatialofa’s presence was hardly felt in the final frame, as he was held scoreless in that half.

While Isaiah missed the contributions of its key players, Cabanas and Borromeo continued to deliver for Caleb in the second half, as they combined for 20 more points. The rest of Cabanas and Borromeo’s teammates also did their share in protecting Caleb’s lead en route to the squad’s final appearance in the league that returned to action after a six-year absence.

Caleb was scheduled to face the defending champion and unbeaten Daniel in the winner-take-all finale last night and results of the title match were unavailable at press time.

Daniel was back in the finals as it also played a solid game in the first half, too to oust Gideon.

The defending champion built a 10-point lead after the opening half, 35-25, and foiled Gideon’s repeated comeback bids to set up a finals date with Caleb.

Jo Hernaez, Daniel’s consistent leading scorer, gave his team a good start, knocking 12 points, while quarterback Andrew Palino contributed 10. Bradley Demapan paced Gideon in the first half, but he was the only player on his team to hit more than two baskets in that half with his 6 points.

In the second half, Daniel spread the wealth to keep its safe distance against Gideon, which still leaned heavily on Demapan and the gamble backfired as it kissed its finals bid goodbye.

Palino led three double-figure scorers for Daniel, as he finished with 17. Hernaez logged 16, while Alain Nunez had 10, 9 of them came in the second half. As expected, Demapan was the lone player on Gideon’s side to break into twin digits with his 17 markers.

First Game
Caleb 71 – Cabanas 21, Borromeo 13, Morales 8, Gatdula 8, Huddlestone 7, Bacani 4, Castro 2, Gozon 2,

Isaiah 65 – Ibanez 22, Brillo 12, Fatialofa 8, Deleon 7, Estanislao 6, Dalusung 4, Arroyo 2, Cortez 2, Puno 2.

Scoring by halves: 39-25, 71-65.

Second Game
Daniel 68 – Palino 17, Hernaez 16, Nunez 10, Robles 8, Del Rio 7, Joson 4, Pablo 4, Del Carmen 4.

Gideon 56 – Demapan 17, Omampo 8, Borja 7, Santos 6, Sablan 6, David 5, Reyes 4, Buniag 3.

Scoring by halves: 35-25, 68-56.