DAMMAM , 5 April — The undermanned AYTB of Jubail relied on the triumvirate of Pong Alconis, Cyril Agudo and Saudi import Fahd Al-Radhi to escape with an 87-80 victory over the National Pipe Company of Dhahran in the ongoing 2002 Open Conference of Eastern Province Basketball League at the Al-Nahda Club.

It was Agudo’s two successive triples in the final minute, amid the tight guarding of Murhaf Mohsin, that dealt the killing blows to the faltering Pipe Makers. Up at 76-74 on a side jumper by Al-Radhi, Agudo sank an off-balanced trey after Mohsin muffed a game-tying, uncontested dunk fueling NPC’s downfall spoiling the return of coach Dante Del Valle in this tournament jointly sponsored by LBC-Makati Express and Phuket Restaurant.

Alconis padded AYTB’s lead to 83-74 on a three-point play after the obviously frustrated Mohsin got whistled for a hard foul on the lanky Ilocano forward.

Edgard Bocalin made a split from the charity lane and Ernie Baggay sank a gravity-defying runner and a triple to make it 83-80 with just under a minute left but the hot-shooting Agudo again converted his fifth triple dousing water to NPC’s fiery uprising.

Missing the services of ace slotman, Yassar Mou, Gilbert Biantan filled the void at the middle with 7 points and 13 rebounds for the 2001 Advisor’s Cup champs. "The boys played great especially Cyril (Agudo). He bailed us out just at the right time." said coach Oscar Cifra. "If Pong (Alconis) and Fahd (Al-Radhi) continuous to play like that, we can then set our sights on the championship", team manager Vir Montero added.

"Even if we lost, I’m really proud about the way the guys played", said Del Valle. "We had good looks at the rim, the shots just didn’t fall. Its not yet over. We still have a few games left."

The thrilling League-A match-up showcased several lead changes with neither team having a comfortable lead.

Agudo topped all scorers with 26 points while Alconis and Al-Radhi chipped in 21 points a piece. Baggay led NPC with 21 and Mohsin added 16. Quarter scores: 31-27; 44-42; 69-65; 87-80.

In League B, Glenn Abrantes essayed a monstrous 35-points performance as Jotun Corrocoat finally ends its two-game losing streak with a convincing 87-74 win over the erstwhile unbeaten Zahid Tractor-Volvo.

Abrantes quickly made his presence felt right at the opening tip when he score the first 4 points of Jotun finishing the period with 12 of the Powder Paint Specialist’s 18 points. But Zahid’s tandem of Danny Alcantara and Roderick Boco kept Volvo in front after 20 minutes with their inside power plays.

Falling behind by 10, 48-38, at the turn, Abrantes and Bong Reyes anchored a searing 17-5 blitz to the start the third canto to gain the upper hand, 65-58, going into the final period.

After going 5 of 21 in the first three periods, Jotun’s scoring machine, Bong Palad, broke his momentary scoring slump and contributed 5 of his 15 points in a decisive fourth quarter run to give team manager Virgilio Cabradilla something to cheer about. Quarter scores: 18-20; 38-48; 65-58; 87-74.

Nonoy Sta. Ana turned a close game into a route as he ignited a scorching 22-6 third quarter breakaway with a back-to-back triple to give Tibay 3 a rousing victory over the mighty Wescosa five, 102-83, in another League B match-up.

Normally a bench-warmer, Sta. Ana’s shooting touch suddenly came to fore as he drilled baskets from all angles catching the defense-conscious Wescosa squad by surprise.

"I was so eager to contribute to my team that’s why when I was tapped to start the third period I took the opportunity to flex my shooting arm", said the amiable Sta. Ana. "I just tested it. But when my first attempt went in I got my confidence back and the rest is history."

Visibly elated by his team’s performance, Tibay’s highly-charged bench tactician, Mel Lampa, remained restrained and quiet the whole game.

"He must have realized that his usual coaching style hasn’t worked and would not help his team", said a Tibay follower.

Sta. Ana led all scorers with 22 points while Argie Ballugo and Bong Garcia collected 18 points each. Ric Lucero finished with 20 for Wescosa while Nordy De Asis and Alvin Apuyan added 19 and 11 markers, respectively.

Tibay 3 and Zahid are tied for first place with an identical 2-1 win-loss slate in this single round elimination. Quarter scores: 26-23; 50-43; 79-62; 102-83.

Hempel Paints, Lummus/ACEC and Al-Turki Corporation recorded contrasting wins while Basic Chemical Industries is yet to register a victory in Division II.

The Paint Specialists recovered from a recent hair-raising loss to ATCO and methodically dismantled BCI, 100-67.

Old-timer Gil Colegado turned in a vintage all-around performance complimenting the 22-points output of the youthful Gilbert Muncal as the duo powered Hempel to its third victory in four games.

Rey Garrido’s 26 markers went for naught as BCI still has to come up with a win after five starts.

In a related development, Commissioner Jun Sanchez has announced the first come, first serve registration for the Second Conference slated to kick off on May 31. Interested parties are advised to contact the EPBL secretariat at 8746168, 8746710 or 8723692.