Judith’s gets last finals berth

Judith’s Hot Boys set a finals date against GMI Market after outclassing Ferrera Builders, 65-59, in their semis game in the U18 division of the 2015 San Antonio Community Action Network Basketball League last Sunday night at the San Antonio court.

Judith’s Hoy Boys’ Prince Factor, center, splits the defense of Ferrera Builders’ Joshua Leyco, left, and Jun Javier during their semis game in the U18 division of the San Antonio caging last Sunday at the San Antonio court. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Adrian Flores helped Judith’s book the second finals ticket and advance to this Sunday’s championship game after playing a solid game in the fourth quarter. The lanky forward knocked in 12 of his game-high 17 points in the payoff canto, including Judith’s’ last 6 points that spelled the difference in the closely fought semis match.

Flores’ fourth-period explosion was timely, as Judith’s started the final frame behind by 6, 36-40. He also drew some help from Mike Espinosa, who contributed 7 in the pivotal quarter after making only 4 points in the first three cantos.

Ferrera grabbed the driver’s seat going into the fourth quarter behind the 7 points of Joshua Leyco in the third. Four other Ferrera players also lit up the board in the third period to overhaul a 23-27 halftime deficit.

However, Ferrera failed to hang on to the lead in the final frame with Leyco held scoreless in the fourth and Chico Bondoc fouling out late in the game after scoring 9 points. Jun Javier also struggled for Ferrera in the fourth, as he was limited to two field goals, while Jun Castro was the biggest missing link on the team’s offense, tallying only 3 points—all of them came from the foul line. Before his lackluster semis game against Judith’s, Castro sizzled for 22 points in their 67-59 playoff win against the Sonics.

The cat-quick Ferrera guard was held to 1 point in the first quarter of their Final Four outing against Judith’s, which took a 12-9 advantage after its foe made only four field goals in the opening frame. Judith’s upped the lead to 4 at the break behind the 8 first-half points of benchwarmer Ronnie Sto. Domingo and 7 markers of starter Mike Arciaga. However, Judith’s lost the upper hand in the third with only Arciaga hitting the board in that period.

Arciaga added another field goal to start the fourth frame for Judith’s before Flores took over to reclaim the lead and eliminate Ferrera.

Judith’s 65 – Flores 17, Arciaga 16, Espinosa 11, Sto. Domingo, Muna 6, Factor 3, Iglesias 3.

Ferrera 59 – Javier 14, F. Bondoc 12, Lee 10, C. Bondoc 9, Leyco 9, Castro 3, Toves 2.

Scoring by quarters: 12-9, 27-23, 34-40, 65-59.