Joel outlasts Jonah in finale

Joel’s Andrew Palino pulls up for a one-hander against Jonah’s Gios Gozon during the closing seconds of their title game in the youth division of the Genesis Cup last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Andrew Palino delivered in the homestretch to tow Joel to a thrilling 81-78 win over Jonah in the youth division finals of the 5th Genesis Cup Christian Churches Inter-Color Basketball League last Saturday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The Joel quarterback scored 8 straight points in less than a minute and had two crucial steals to help the top-ranked Joel get the division championship and survive a gallant stand from Jonah.

Two of Palino’s four consecutive baskets brought Joel within one, 75-76, after his team fell behind by as much as 7, 58-65. Palino’s second field goal came after a cramping Sam Darag completed a 3-point play. Darag tried to retaliate, but overshot his mark. Fortunately, he got the rebound and spotted Gios Gozon under the basker, but the latter was not looking, nearly loosing the ball to the baseline before throwing it back to the court and Karl Marcellana picking up the leather. Marcellana then used the window to bank the shot in for Jonah’s 3-point cushion, 78-75, 27 seconds left on the clock.

Jonah celebrated prematurely after that helter-skelter play, failing to go back on defense quickly, while Palino drove strong to the baseline for his third straight bucket that cut the deficit down to one anew, 77-78, 20 seconds remaining in the match.

Left without a time out, Jonah hurriedly went for the inbound play and lost possession when Palino intercepted the inbound pass. Palino then hit a point-blanked shot to put Joel on top, 79-78, 18 ticks left in the finals. Now feeling the pressure after losing the lead and with the clock ticking, Jonah again turned the ball over with Palino picking Chino Ponce’s pocket for another steal. Palino was eventually fouled after his second steal as Jonah scrambled to stop the clock.

Palino muffed both charities, but Joel got the offensive board with J.P. Cruz coming out of nowhere and beating two Jonah players for the rebound. Cruz was also fouled and calmly sank the pair of charities to peg the final score. Jonah was left with 8 seconds to pull up for triple to send the game in overtime, but Darag missed, while Marcellana also faltered on his putback as time expired.

Palino top-scored for Joel with his 34 points, while Ocaya and Cruz also finished in twin digits with 18 and 11, respectively.

Darag led all scorers with his 35 markers, as he was forced to take the cudgels for Jonah, who played without Jethro Cruz.

Sans Cruz, who left for the U.S. last Friday to continue his studies, Jonah played catch up with Joel in the first half, which ended with the latter leading by 9, 40-31. The advantage ballooned to as high as 11, 44-33, before Darag anchored the recovery and gave his team its biggest lead, 65-58, 6:37 to go in the match. Darag was then forced to sit down a few minutes later due to cramps and remained on the bench for about three minutes, allowing Palino and company to rally and steal the win in the end.

Joel 81— Palino 34, Ocaya 18, Cruz 11, Elchico 7, Ibanez 4, De Leon 3, Ocanada 2, Luke 2.

Jonah 78 — Darag 35, Marcellana 16, Ponce 13, Bordon 8, Gozon 3, Cabrera 3.

Scoring by halves: 40-31, 81-78.