By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

JOSHUA moved two wins ahead of its closest pursuers, while Nehemiah and Elijah improved their standings in the 2nd Calvary International Mission-Filipino Community Church Inter-Color Basketball League-Genesis Invitational Cup.
Joshua notched its seventh victory in eight games after winning via default over Samuel last Monday. With a 7-1 record, Joshua boosted its chances for the pennant, as it was up by two wins against Jeremiah and Daniel, which have identical 5-1 records.
Samuel absorbed its sixth loss in seven games.
League coordinator Noel Puno said Samuel is also eliminated in the 10-team tournament because of its two losses via defaults.
He said that Samuel’s elimination was based on the tournament’s ground rules.
In other results, Nehemiah and Elijah prevailed over separate foes last Thursday at the CIM-FCC court in Gualo Rai.
Nehemiah eased past Hosea, 93-89, while Elijah topped Caleb, 99-85.
The win was Nehemiah’s third in six games, while Elijah improved to a 5-3 slate.
Nehemiah had five players scoring double figures with Rommel Olayres leading the way with 24 points.
Preston Basa led Hosea with 28 points, but it was not enough to save his team from dropping to a 1-6 record.
In the second game, Jeff Galvez and Sonny Lerio fired 26 and 22 points, respectively, to lift Elijah to an easy win.
Meanwhile, Puno said they will finish first the three regular games in the regular season before playing the make-up matches.
After the regular season, the top team will get a bye in the playoffs, while the lowest three will be eliminated.
The six remaining squad will then play in a single-elimination playoffs and vie for the last three semifinals berth.
The playoffs, semifinals and finals matches will be played at the Gilbert C. Ada Gym.
Scores:
First Game
Nehemiah 93—Olayres 24, Camacho 16, Capalad 14, Artates 12, Llagas 10, Surima 4.
Hosea 89—Basa 28 Mosley 22, Ja. Camacho 18, Babauta 18, Batallones 4, Ju. Camacho 2.
Quarterscores: 15-13, 41-32, 62-54, 93-89.
Second Game
Elijah 99—Galvez 26, Lerio 22, Demegillo 17, De Guzman 15, Demapan 11, Siriban 8.
Caleb 85—Tobias 27, Carino 24, Salazar 16, Tengco 6, Buenabajo 4, Echavez 3, Lagado 3.
Quarterscores: 19-21, 32-43, 58-57, 99-88.