Caleb stuns Daniel in finale

Caleb pulled off an epic title win against Daniel, 91-88, in the 4th Genesis Cup Christian Churches Inter-Color Basketball League last Sunday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The second-ranked Caleb overhauled a 17-point deficit in the second half and key players Michael Cabanas and Nathan Borromeo battled through cramps to deliver the killer blows in their upset over Daniel.

The dethroned champion came into the winner-take-all finale undefeated in nine games and boosted its chances for back-to-back crowns after building a 73-56 lead, with still 11:15 left in the match. However, Daniel had a monumental collapse, while Caleb launched a back-breaking 22-0 run in the next six minutes and change of the game behind Cabanas and Borromeo, who went in and out of the court in the second half due to cramps, but managed to lift their team to the come-from-behind victory.

Caleb’s Michael Cabanas drives to the baseline against Daniel’s Angelo Hernaez, left, while Alain Nunez steps in for help defense during the second half of their title game in the 4th Genesis Cup last Sunday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Cabanas went out first after scoring a fastbreak layup, which incidentally sparked Caleb’s rally. He came back a few minutes later and he and Borromeo combined for four straight triples in that spurt, while Edison Castro’s uncontested shot in the paint off Nathan Huddleston’s assist put Caleb in the lead after a long while, 74-73. Cabanas added four free throws in the ensuing plays to give Caleb cushion, with five minutes left in the match.

Two charities from Dindo Pablo ended Daniel’s drought, but Caleb won the next exchange, 7-4, to enter the last two minutes of the game with an 85-79 advantage.

Daniel also mounted a comeback behind Angelo Hernaez to regain the lead, 86-85. Hernaez, who missed a bundle in the meltdown, completed a 3-point play and made a fastbreak layup that gave the lead back to Daniel, with 1:10 left on the clock. Daniel point guard Andrew Palino scored the 2 other points off a pair of free throws.

Daniel recovered with Cabanas on the bench, suffering from cramps anew. Alex Gozon replaced him and the former split his charities in the ensuing play to knot the count, 86-all. Borromeo, who returned to the floor after also cramping out earlier, broke the deadlock with his two charities that came after Noel Ong overshot an open layup off a fastbreak play and gave up a foul against the former, 51.8 seconds remaining in the match.

Hernaez tried to get the 2 points back, but was called for a dribbling violation, returning possession to Caleb, which failed to widen the gap as Borromeo muffed a runner with the 24-second shot clock about to expire and Arvin Bacani went 0-for-2 from the line after getting the offensive board and a foul on Reli Del Rio. Actually, Bacani canned his second charity, but was called for a stepping violation, nullifying his basket and keeping Daniel’s hopes alive.

A driving Palino was fouled in Daniel’s next offensive set and he could have made an and-1 play had the ball not rimmed out. He settled for two charities to tie the game anew, 16.7 seconds left in the thrilling finale.

With the 24-second shot clock down and Caleb inbounding from the backcourt, all Daniel had to do was play good defense to avoid the heartbreaker, but Ong opted to foul Borromeo quickly. It was not a wise decision, as Ong held down Borromeo too much, wrapping his arms around the Caleb gunner, forcing referee Robert Tamondong to call an unsportsmanlike foul.

Borromeo was given two free throws and Caleb the possession because of Ong’s infraction. Borromeo went on to hit three free throws as after his split, Palino committed a preemptive foul on the former, who this time went 2-for-2 from the stripe for Caleb’s 3-point lead, 10 seconds remaining in the game.

Daniel had a chance to move closer when Hernaez was also fouled on his way to the basket, but he faltered both charities and Willy Sacdalan secured the crucial defensive rebound, down to 3.6 seconds in the match. Sacdalan also missed both charities, but Huddleston got the offensive board and went for the turnaround shot, which he muffed. Hernaez collard the rebound and pushed the ball, but time ran out as he crossed midcourt and threw up a prayer.

Hernaez sizzled for 40 points in the finals, but went cold when Caleb made the rally, while Cabanas and Borromeo top-scored for Caleb with 31 points apiece.

Meanwhile, Isaiah won the battle for third place against Gideon, 71-65.

Marlo Ibanez paced Isaiah with his 17 points, while Joel Buniag had 16 for Gideon.

First Game

Isaiah 72 – Ibanez 17, Gragasin 15, Fatialofa 12, De Leon 8, Brillo 6, Vergara 4, Puno 2, Dalusung 2, Arroyo 2.

Gideon 65 – Buniag 16, Omampo 12, David 10, Santos 10, Gonzales 9, Reyes 8.

Scoring by halves: 35-32, 72-65.

Second Game

Caleb 91 – Cabanas 31, Borromeo 31, Gatdula 10, Morales 6, Castro 3, Ocanada 2, Bacani 2, Huddleston 2, Sacdalan 2, Gozon 1.

Daniel 88 – Hernaez 40, Palino 20, Nunez 10, Pablo 9, Del Rio 7, Robles 2.

Scoring by halves: 44-47, 91-88.