Serlord bags maiden NETS Inter-Church cage title

PBA-bound veteran commercial player Woodrow Enriquez stole the show as Serlord/Cutting Edge vanquished Blessed Hope Christian Fellowship, 69-57, to seize the inaugural championship of the Cebu NETS Basketball League (CNBL) Inter-Church cagefest last Sunday at the Cebu City Sports Center gym.

NETS stands for Now Evangelizing Through Sports.

Enriquez, star guard of the multi-titled M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Jewelers, did a yeoman's job in a decisive endgame rally as aside from hitting bigtime shots, he also dished out beautiful assists, picked up loose balls and plucked away crucial steals.

Reportedly assured by coach Alfrancis Chua of a spot in Sta. Lucia Realty roster come the season-ending PBA conference, Enriquez scored quick six points including a rare four-point play to pad Serlord's lead to 55-47 with just two minutes gone by in the last quarter.

With Ryan Miro joining the fray, Serlord kept its smooth offense to put the game beyond Blessed Hope's reach at 64-48 cushion entering the final four-minute mark of the contest.

Miro topped Serlord with 12 points, while Enriquez added 11 markers followed by Candido Malait with 10.

Despite on the losing end, Blessed Hope grabbed part of the spotlight as its top gunner John de Rama claimed the Best Player of the Conference honors. De Rama finished with a game-high 15 points.

Earlier, Cruisers Praise Cathedral trounced Word International, 54-40, to lift the third place trophy.

The awarding ceremonies and simple victory party followed immediately after the final match with tournament commissioner Tata Merced and Mike Roma of event backer M. Lhuillier gracing the affair.

Several special awards were handed out. The "Sportmanship Award' went to Pastor Jessie Gawangon, while the "3-point King" honoree was Ibing Ramos. The 'Most Faithful" citations were given away to Jojo Racaza, Jerome Semilla, Marlon Flores and Andrew Bautista.

The scores

First game (For third)

Praise Cathedral (54) - Sy 14, Sergeant 12, Ramos 9, Nuñez 8, Sanchez 4, Tiu 3, Torres 2, Bautista 2

Word International (40) - Pagalan 10, Velez 8, Gimarino 6, Roma 5, Flores 5, Ruiz 4, Jumabis 2, Villaluna 2

Second game (Championship)

Serlord (69) - R. Miro 12, Enriquez 11, Malait 10, Estoce 7, Abaquita 6, Isidro 6, Miro 4, Alviola 2, Racaza 1

Blessed Hope (57) - De Rama 15, Sanchez 8, Ponteras 7, Auditor 6, Invento 6, Ponteras 4, Auditor 4, Gawangon 4, Repollo 2, Gawangon 1