Judith’s tops GMI Market in finale

Judith’s Hot Boys’ Gerald Flores challenges the defense of GMI Market’s Ignacio Borja during their title game in the U18 division of the San Antonio caging last Sunday at the San Antonio court. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Judith’s Hot Boys showed poise in the homestretch to pull off an 82-74 victory against GMI Market in their winner-take-all finale in the U18 division of the 2015 San Antonio Community Action Network Basketball League last Sunday night at the San Antonio court.

Judith’s Hot Boys squandered a 17-point lead in the third quarter but managed to withstand GMI Market’s rally in the end behind the clutch baskets of Mike Espinosa, Gerald Flores, and Irvyn Malonzo to clinch the division crown in the inaugural league.

Espinosa’s undergoal stab off his own miss gave Judith’s more cushion after GMI Market came within 4, 70-74, off split free throws from Jethro Cruz, with still 2:13 left on the clock. GMI Market had several chances to move closer when Judith’s faltered in its next few plays, however the former also failed to hit baskets in its next three possessions. June Alipio’s threw an errant crosscourt pass to Cruz and the former later missed a point-blanked shot, while Ignacio Borja muffed a put-back.

Judith’s finally collared the rebound and took some time before pulling up for a shot. With only a few seconds left on the 24-second shot clock, Espinosa drove to the baseline, but his floater fell short. Fortunately, he won the battle for the loose ball and this time banked it in, giving Judith’s a 76-70 lead, 46.5 seconds remaining in the game.

Espinosa added two more free throws after another GMI Market botched offensive set and an open layup from Flores made it a 10-point advantage, 80-70, down to the last 25 seconds of the finals.

Despite facing a double-digit deficit, GMI Market refused to give up and remained in contention when Greg Sablan knocked in a left corner triple. He also attempted another trey from the right key after Judith’s fumbled on the other end, but missed. He was fouled though, but made only one free throw, while Malonzo went 2-for-2 in the ensuing play to seal the deal for Judith’s.

The loss to Judith’s in the finals was the lone defeat GMI Market absorbed in the league.

Judith’s controlled the match right from the get-go after getting solid production from its starters. Espinosa, Flores, Mike Arciaga, and Mike Muna combined for 22 of the team’s 24 points in the first quarter to take an 8-point lead at the end of the first frame, 24-16. Ronnie Sto. Domingo scored the other 2 points for Judith’s.

Judith’s extended the lead to twin digits at halftime, 43-33, and threatened to pull away midway in the third, 59-42, with Malonzo drilling 9 of his total points in that period. Judith’s relaxed a bit after establishing its biggest lead in the game, allowing GMI Market to mount a comeback late in the third.

GMI Market launched a 13-2 run bridging the last three minutes of the third period and the first one and a half of the fourth to slice the deficit to single digits, 55-61. Alipio capped the rally with a triple, his second in a row in the final canto.

However, Judith’s regained its composure, dropping a short 6-0 run off Malonzo’s pair of charities and Espinosa and Muna’s field goals for a 67-55 advantage, going into the last seven minutes of the match. Judith’s still won the exchange in the next two minutes for a baker’s dozen lead, 72-59, but Cruz and Borja joined forces in another GMI Market rally to bring the lead down to as low as 4 before falling short in the end.

GMI Market played catch up the whole time in the finale, as it failed to find the right player combination that could keep up with Judith’s.

Espinosa paced Judith’s with his 22 points, while Flores added 12 and Malonzo and Arciaga contributed 12 and 11, respectively. Cruz led GMI Market with his 23 points, while Borja chipped in 21. Djay Ong was the third GMI Market player to finish in twin digits with his 10 point, but he could not get his rhythm as he was in and out of the game.

Finals
Judith’s 82 – Espinosa 22, Flores 15, Malonzo 12, Arciaga 11, Factor 7, Muna 6, Sto. Domingo 4, Iglecias 3, Kim 2.

GMI Market 74 – Cruz 23, Borja 21, Ong 10, G. Sablan 8, Alipio 6, Kintaro 4, Snech 2.

Scoring by quarters: 24-16, 43-33, 61-49, 82-74.

Consolation
Ferrera 75 – Castro 19, C. Bondoc 18, Toves 13, Javier 11, F. Bondoc 10, Leyco 2, Lee 2.

Sonics 59 – Borromeo 14, Salalila 10, Diyco 8, Muna 6, Fidelino 4, De Guzman 4, Aque 4, Ignobay 2.

Scoring by quarters: 21-14, 36-26, 51-41, 75-59.