Gonzaga hits seven triples to power Alelu's Friends past J-Team

CEBU, Philippines - Gaga Gonzaga rained seven 3-point bombs including the game-clinching trey that spurred Alelu’s Friends to an emphatic 90-88 conquest of J-Team in the open category of the Nangka Christmas Basketball League in Nangka, Consolacion, Cebu.

Alelu’s Friends dictated the tempo of the match after posting an early 24-21 lead. They were still ahead by one at halftime, 46-45, but J-Team fought back with savvy in the third period to snatch the driver’s seat, 71-69, going into the final 10 minutes of the contest.

J-Team was staring at victory with an 88-87 edge with less than a minute left to play, but the red-hot Gonzaga completed his game-long brilliance by hitting a 3-point dagger that valuted Alelu’s Friends to a resounding triumph.

Gonzaga topped Alelu’s Friends with 21 points, even as three others dished out twin figures. George Ermac and Lemuel Malagar chipped in 13 markers apiece followed by Jerome Valle with 11.

Romar Ponce paced J-Team with 24 points, while Gemar Ponce and Bryan Ramos banged in 21 and 15 points, respectively, in a losing cause.

The event is strongly supported by Nangka Brgy. Capt. Rey Cataluña with Councilor Neil Congson serving as commissioner. The rest of the tournament committee members are Joseph Pianar, Pensoy Alfuerto, Leo Alivio and Joan Ganzan.

The scores

Alelu’s Friends (90) - Gonzaga 21, Ermac 13, Malagar 13, Valle 11, Javier 10, Medida 10, Iballe 4, Dumaguit 4, Canono 4

J-Team (88) - R. Ponce 24, G. Ponce 21, Ramos 15, Daligdig 8, Tumnogha 8, Gorgonio 8, Pascua 2, Armac 2

Quarterscores:24-21, 46-45, 69-71, 90-88. — EBV (THE FREEMAN)