Close wins for Jonah, Ezra

A Jonah player fakes off the defense of two Nahum players during the second half of their game in the youth division of the Genesis Cup last Saturday at Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Johan and Ezra labored for victories in their respective matches in the 5th Genesis Cup Christian Churches Inter-Color Basketball League last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Ezra withstood Joel’s repeated rallies to pull off a 67-62 win in the curtain-raiser, while Johan escaped past Nahum, 84-83, in the second match.

Sam Darag scored Jonah’s last 6 points to lift his team to victory, while Jethro Cruz also helped out, firing a game-high 42 markers. Cruz and Darag alternately hit baskets in streaks for Johan, which trailed in the majority of the game before finally overtaking Nahum in the closing minutes of the match.

The debuting Nahum took control of the game behind the baskets of Agape Christian School standouts Haoyu Chen and David Cai, who knocked in 31 and 29 markers, respectively. However, Jonah’s 1-2 punch of Cruz and Darag countered in the second half to steal the win and help the squad bounce back from its opening day loss to Joel, 44-57.

In the first game, Ezra took the early lead in the five-team field after outclassing Joel (1-1).

Nathan Borromeo and Santiago again teamed up in giving Ezra the win, as they combined for more than half of the squad’s total production. Borromeo tallied 24, while Santiago added 21. The two players compiled 40 markers in their 71-61 triumph over Haggai during the youth division’s opening week.

Borromeo was on target from downtown, draining five triples. Actually, Ezra had a good shooting night, as it buried four straight treys in the homestretch with two of them coming from Borromeo.

Meanwhile, in the adults division, Samuel strengthened its hold to the top spot after beating Jeremiah, 75-69.

The victory was Samuel’s fifth in as many games, giving the team more breathing room against Ezekiel (3-1), Jeremiah (3-2), and Gideon (3-2). Caleb (2-2), Joshua (0-4), Daniel (0-4), and Isaiah (0-4) complete the standings.

Mark Cando powered Samuel past Jeremiah after registering 24 points. Jerome Reyes and Walter Brillo also hit double figures, posting 17 and 11, respectively.

Michael Cabanas had 37 for Jeremiah.

YOUTH DIVISION
First Game
Ezra 67 — Borromeo 24, Santiago 21, De Jose 10, Buno 6, De Leon 4, Sumpay 2.
Joel 62 — Palino 23, Ocaya 16, Elchico 6, De Leon 6, Trinidad 5, Ibanez 4, Lu 2.
Scoring by halves: 38-32, 67-62.

Second Game
Jonah 84 —Cruz 42, Darag 24, Marcellana 7, Azarcon 5, Cabrera 4, Wang 2.
Nahum 83 — Chen 31, Cai 29, Cobacha 14, Sacdalan 8, Wang 2.
Scoring by halves: 45-46, 39-37.

ADULT DIVISION
Samuel 75 —Cando 24, Reyes 17, Brillo 11, Lopez 8, Francia 8, Acosta 4, Gonzales 2.
Jeremiah 69 — Cabanas 37, Fatialofa 14, Cortez 11, Lonzaga 4, Buniag 3.
Scoring by halves: 43-38, 75-69.