Nunungan Lanao Lakers showed nerves of steel in a compelling game against Carrier Juffali to score a 100-92 victory at the start of the best-of-three series for the Inter-Commercial Open Rated championship in the 1st Friendi Basketball Tournament presented by all new WPBL at the Ahmed Khaki Sports Complex (Orca) court here.
Down by 7 points, 87-80, with 5:40 to play, Nunungan made the big plays and got the breaks to stop Carrier in a thrilling if contentious match that extended well into the night on Thursday.
Completing the 12th weekend blockbuster, Marogong reasserted its mastery over Shadow Lounge to win in overtime 99-96 during the Inter-Commercial Open Non Rated A semifinal on Friday.
Alex Cotongan atoned for a useless foul on Roby David by scoring 8 of Marogong’s 11 points in overtime as he almost singlehandedly carried Marogong past Shadow Lounge into the final.
With Marogong leading by 1 at 88-87, Cotongan fouled David just before the buzzer sounded. Shadow Lounge had a chance to win but David missed his second free-throw sending the game to overtime.
A defensive gem by Millar Daham when he forced Ramos to bobble the ball set up Cotongan for his fourth field goal in the extra period. He drew a foul on the play from Razal but missed the bonus shot 96-all, time down to 29 seconds.
Three free throws one by Malik Ampuan and two by Marmai settled the final count.
A completed three-point play by gangling Bassam following successive baskets by David and one by Noy Magat during an 8-4 tear in the extra period gave Shadow Lounge a four-point edge 96-92 with 58 seconds to play.
James Smith ever the dependable player that he is top-scored with 25 points for Nunungan, Christian Guimpatan added 26 while point guard Yoyong Akmad and Diego Domalogdog each had 8 points for Nunungan which took the first sizeable lead of 10 points in the game at 33-23 in the first half.
A Reyes three-pointer put Juffali on top for the first time 58-57 in the third quarter and the Carrier carried the momentum all the way to the fourth quarter.
But a shot clock malfunction that necessitated a reset to 24 seconds and at least two non calls against Juffali seemed to have demoralized Carrier and Nunungan stemmed the tide in its favor with a go-ahead three by Domalogdog and two free throws by Smith 90-89 with 3:19 left.
Reyes led led Carrier with 25 points, Ubalde had 13 points, Brian Adaya and Yutuc 10 each and Matias 8.
BTC Baud Telecom ruined what could have been a battle for No. 1 between Greenland and Nesma Holdings by beating Nesma 93-78 in the fourth game Thursday.
Still Greenland did its part to retain the No. 1 in the Open Non-Rated C with a close 99-97 triumph over Nesma in the fourth game the following day.
Petromin improved to 3-1 in the Non-Open Rated B after downing Saudia Jet Aviation 97-89 while Nexus won by forfeiture over Amanah in a Non-Rated C game.
In the 10th KFAFH Inter-Department organized by United Filipino Workers of King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital (UFWORK) and the tournament within a tournament, CSSD beat Academic Affairs 55-36 and Warehouse crushed Nursing 78-54 in Thursday’s games.
In the matches Friday, Engineering whipped Housekeeping B 72-58 and Dietary defeated Engineering 76-63.
