DAMMAM, 24 May — National Pipe Company relied on their big men and with a stroke of luck in the stretch to beat the gritty Sigma Paints, 90-85, in Game 3 of their title series and captured the prestigious 2002 Open Conference crown of the Eastern Province Basketball League’s premier category at the Al-Nahda Club gymnasium.

Ramesh Ordan sank all his 8 points in the fourth period while slotman, Haleem Al-Nasser, made a crucial steal in the final minute to ignite a heart-stopping 7-0 windup and handed NPC their first League A title since 1997.

Down at 85-83, Al-Nasser sneaked behind Sigma’s Ronnie Ferolino at mid-court and tapped the ball to the waiting hands of Murhaf Abdul Mohsin to level the count at 85-all. NPC’s defense then clamped on the driving Ramil Zarandin forcing the wily Sigma guard to put up an air ball. Al-Nasser got the rebound and drove straight to the hoop to give NPC a two-point advantage.

As Arthur Palima missed on Sigma’s next possession, Romwell Lampitoc made a split from the stripe and Ordan made a basket at the buzzer for the final tally.

Missing the services of starters Cirio Medel, Wene Datungputi and american import Tom Parris, Sigma’s crunch time offense methodically crumbled after its seven-man rotation was reduced to four as Leo Mampusti and Sergion De Asis fouled out in succession with less than four minutes left while Nonoy Dela Cruz got ejected after the experienced forward gave Mohsin a hard foul using a closed fist.

“We all love to see great matches where players tend to get a little rough sometimes but I will never tolerate such unsportsmanlike conduct during my watch”, said ace referee Gerry Patalinghud on his decision to throw out Dela Cruz.

“Over-confidence almost cost us the title”, said Best Coach awardee Gil Rivera. “I told the boys not to under-estimate Sigma even if their bigtime players are absent.”

Ahead at 81-78, with 1:20 left, Sigma’s heroic stand began to dwindle when Solano, while all-alone downcourt, lost his dribble in what could have been an insurance basket for the upset-bound Paint Makers. Ironically, it was Solano himself who started a spirited comeback by Sigma after falling behind by 14 points early in the final period.

“I was just so tired having played almost the entire match” said Solano.

The pipe makers’ title run got a big scare when Solano made a difficult reverse lay-up with more than seven minutes left in the fourth quarter igniting a four-minute NPC scoring drought.

Egged-on by the wildly-cheering crowd, Sigma’s euphoric comeback got a big blow when Mampusti and De Asis, who scored 20 points a piece, fouled out in succession with more than four minutes left.

“I take my hat off to the seven men of Sigma who fought hard”, NPC team adviser Pol Modelo said.

While Sigma’s rally was at its peak, it was Anthony Nabong’s spectacular blocks and intimidating perimter defense that slowed down Sigma’s offensive giving NPC the much-needed break and wake-up call from scoring slump. At one point, Nabong made a clean block off De Asis and took the ball from the hands of the Sigma cager while both are in mid-air.

Mohsin led all scorers with 32 points to back his Most Valuable Player award.

Mythical Five awardees are, Ernie Baggay and Mohsin (Guards); De Asis and Cirio Medel (Forwards); and Nabong (Center).

Earlier, in League B, of this tournament jointly sponsored by LBC Makati Express and Phuket Restaurant, Saudi Ready Mix coach Gil Bulaon made a fearless prediction before the much-awaited match, “We will win the championship this time.”

That they did as the Mixers drubbed the emphatic Tibay III, 82-65, in Game 3 of their own title series to finally gave the SRM franchise their first title in four years.

Reeling from a disappointing 97-90 loss in Game 2, the Mixers quickly bucked down to work jumping to an early 10-4 lead and never relinguished the lead from start to finish as they continuously shadowed the explosive Bong Garcia.

Rod Cayanan, Marlon Morales and Rodel Caberte alternated in limiting Garcia to 9 points.

Although Tibay outrebounded the Mixers, 58-45, their poor shooting (24%) paid a heavy toll while SRM made 61 percent.

SRM slotman Francis David led all scorers with 18 points while Rolly Bisda added 14. Joey Julaton topped for Tibay with 14 points.

Mythical Five awardees are Garcia and Bisda (Guards), Julaton and Marlon David (Forwards) and Francis David (Center). Bisda took the MVP plum with a 33.0 points per game.

Third placers are AYTB (League A); Zahid Tractor (League B) and Lummus Alireza (Division II).

Beautiful wooden trophies were awarded to the winners by EPBL Advisor Rashed Al-Hatllan and Commissioner Jun Sanchez plus champion’s jacket presented by Santi of LBC Makati Express.

EPBL’s All-Filipino tournament will start on May 31. General meeting of all teams is at 2PM on May 24 at the Al-Nahda Club.