12/12/2025
Saving the best for last for JIL and EMC Sr.
Oroquieta City – Despite missing several key players and opening the game flat, Jesus Is Lord Church Oroquieta Prayer Warriors staged a dramatic come-from-behind victory over EMC- Evangelical Methodist Church, 58–54, in the ongoing PYBA – Pastors Youth Basketball Association Inter-Church League Junior’s Division last Thursday, December 12, 2025, at Dagatan Bajo, Oroquieta City.
Kiandez Usero, Manon-og and the EMC controlled the game for most of the match and even held a 54–52 lead with just 1:30 remaining in the fourth quarter. But Prayer Warriors’ Arche Gumandoy delivered the dagger in the clutch—a huge three-pointer plus a foul, completing a rare four-point play that swung the lead to 56–54 with 1:10 left. A crucial free throw from Chaelmar Tiong sealed the win for JIL.
Gumandoy led the Prayer Warriors with an impressive all-around performance with 24 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks. Meanwhile, GB Domino anchored the team with 19 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 steals, helping JIL tie Assemblies of God – Bolibol at the top of the Junior Division standings with identical 5–1 records. EMC fell to 0–5.
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Seniors Division: EMC forces overtime, stuns AFB
In the Seniors Division (Bracket B), Evangelical Methodist Church pulled off a thrilling overtime win over Assemblies of the First Born (AFB), 87–84, after a late-game surge that erased AFB’s lead.
AFB caught fire from the three-point line and controlled most of the game. However, EMC’s Magtuba and Rodriguez sparked a crucial rally that sent the game into overtime and eventually secured the comeback victory.
AFB had a chance to force another overtime in their final possession, but Rotor’s potential game-tying three-pointer fell short.
With the win, EMC and AFB are now tied at 2–3 in the standings. Both teams will await the result of the upcoming matchup between Jesus Is Lord – Aloran (2–2) against 4-0 undefeated Jesus For All Nations – Mansabay, a game that will determine quarterfinal positioning.
If teams end up tied, they will face each other in a playoff to determine who advances to the quarterfinals. (Jess Baldecanas)
