Jeremiah barges into win column

Jeremiah won the battle of winless team after topping Samuel, 67-56, in the second match in the 4th Genesis Cup Christian Churches Inter-Color Basketball League last Monday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Jeremiah’s Denmark Lizardo eludes the defense of Samuel’s Chino Ponce during the second half of their game in the 4th Genesis Cup last Monday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The victory snapped Jeremiah’s five-game losing skid and moved the squad to the No. 7 spot in the team standings. Samuel remained at the cellar with its 0-6 record.

Jeremiah finally barged into the win column after outgunning Samuel in the last 15 minutes of the second half. Jeremiah was still behind, 41-43, when it launched a pivotal 15-2 run capped by Ramsa Tenepere’s triple. Tenepere scored 10 in that rally to give Jeremiah its first taste of a double-digit lead, 56-45, 7:45 left on the clock.

Jeremiah managed to steal the lead from Samuel and increase its advantage as Tenepere also drew help from Edgar Deang, Raymond Casuncad, Jay Nunag, and Vic Formales, who drilled at least two baskets apiece in the second half.

Samuel failed to regain the upper hand in the final frame, as it only sliced the deficit to as low as 7 points, 51-58. It could have moved closer if not for its several misses on fastbreak layups. Ronnie Guevarra, who top-scored for Samuel with his 12 points, muffed two point-blanked shots, while two of his teammates also faltered easy attempts.

Another triple from Tenepere brought Jeremiah’s lead back to twin digits, 63-51, and sealed the win with only two minutes left in the game.

Tenepere led all scorers with his 25 points, while five of his teammates added at least 6 points each and combined for 36 markers.

Meanwhile, league-leading and defending champion Daniel moved one win away from sweeping the regular season after defeating Isaiah, 70-60.

Angelo Hernaez lifted Daniel to its sixth straight victory after sizzling for 27 points. He showed consistency on offense all throughout the match, scoring a baker’s dozen in the first half and 14 in the second. Young gun Andrew Palino and veteran Dindo Pablo supported Hernaez, scoring 17 and 15 markers, respectively.

Walter Brillo had 18 to pace Isaiah, which slid from second to third place, as it lost its last two matches after an impressive 4-0 start.

First Game
Daniel 80 – Hernaez 27, Paino 17, Pablo 15, Del Carmen 7, Nunez 6, Del Rio 6, Joson 2.

Isaiah 70 – Brillo 18, Ibanez 16, Gragasin 11, De Leon 7, Estanislao 6, Puno 6, Cortez 4.

Scoring by halves: 40-34, 80-70.

Second Game
Jeremiah 67 – Tenepere 25, Nunag 9, Lizardo 8, Deang 7, Cabaoas 6, Lansangan 6, Formales 4, Casuncad 2.

Samuel 56 – Guevarra 12, Reyes 11, Badal 9, Samonte 6, Bonquin 6, Ponce 4, Bordon 4, Belgado 4.

Scoring by quarters: 28-31, 67-56.