By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

JEREMIAH earned a return trip to the finals of the 2nd Calvary International Mission-Filipino Community Church Inter-Color Basketball League-Genesis Invitational Cup and will meet pennant champion Daniel in the winner-take-all finals on Saturday.
Jeremiah and Daniel set up their title showdown after downing separate rivals in the semifinals last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gym.
Jeremiah, which lost to Ezekiel in the finals in the inaugural Genesis Cup last year, 66-69, will have a second crack at the title after its 106-96 win over Joshua.
It was a bit of an upset for Jeremiah, which lost to Joshua in the regular reason and was ranked lower than its foe in the playoffs. Joshua finished third in the regular season with a 7-2 record, while Joshua had a better 8-1 slate.
Kevin Cequena, who came from a 21-point production in Jeremiah’s 101-71 first playoff win over Nehemia, was more explosive against Joshua firing 36 points.
His seven straight points at one point in the last two minutes of the match helped Jeremiah break the deadlock and secure the important victory.
Joshua was still in the game when it forced a tie, 92-all, with less than three minutes left on the clock.
But Joshua scored only four points after the tie with Bing Marasigan missing a couple of triples to bow out of contention.
Errol Peredo also helped Jeremiah’s cause nailing 26 points for the second straight game.
Jon Lim and Jun Estolas added 13 markers apiece, while Ronnel Gamboa chipped in 12.
Marasigan paced Joshua with 31 markers.
In the second game, Elmer Esdrelon scored 22 points, including 16 in the second quarter to power Daniel to a 106-97 win and give the pennant champ the second finals ticket.
Despite playing against a depleted Caleb, Daniel had a hard time pulling away in the first quarter.
Caleb even led at the end of the second period, 25-23, with Freddie Pelisamen drilling 19 points.
Esdrelon, who went into the game in the closing minutes of the first quarter, stepped up in the second canto posting 16 points to give Daniel a 57-35 halftime lead.
The lead increased to 27, 90-63, entering the fourth period, with Noel Puno getting his share in Daniel’s scoring in the third quarter hitting three triples and firing 11 points.
Caleb tried to bounce back in the fourth quarter, but Daniel had done enough damage in the third to prevent an upset.
Pelisamen led all scorers with 41 points.
Scores:
First Game
Jeremiah 106—Cequena 36, Peredo 26, Estolas 13, Lim 13, Gamboa 12, Ajoste 4, Reyes 2.
Joshua 96—Marasigan 31, Gapor 21, Pe 16, L. Palero 14, Garcia 9, Achas 4, Rapanut 1.
Quarterscores: 18-29, 49-56, 78-all, 106-96
Second Game:
Daniel 106—Esdrelon 22, Vinas 19, T. Alegre 12, Guiab 12, Puno 11, Ong 8, R. Alegre 7, Basa 4, Abuy 2, Factor 2, Lauron 1.
Caleb 97—Pelisamn 41, Delos Reyes 19, Tobias 15, Salazar 9, Samson 8, Buenabajo 3, Echavez 2.
Quarterscores: 23-25, 57-35, 90-63, 106-97