Vic Bince drained a game-winning 3-point shot as Marc Aso’s Dammam Pirates eliminated the highly-favored Al Tuwairqi 90-87 in overtime in Junior D-4 of the 15th UFBC Open Basketball Tournament Friday at the Al Qadisia gymnasium here.

The Pirates will face Cyber Dudes 1 in the finals. The Dudes surprisingly beat the No. 1 team, SATORP-Molave 87-78 in another semifinal encounter.

Jayson Bornolia finished with 20 points, Djhay Absin and Edward Yap each had 15 markers, Michael Galicha chipped in 9, while Valentine Magtagad and Peter Escandor combined for 14 points.

Tuwairqi relied on Millena brothers Mark and Rey who had 32 and 24 points respectively but Mark missed a triple attempt near the end of the fourth quarter which could have been a game clinching basket for coach Rey Liclican. Mark returned to the line and calmly sank two free throws to send the match in overtime. Joel Avero added 11 points while Rudini Bayacsan added 8 in the losing effort.

Mark Millena broke the deadlock with two penalty shots, 81-79, to start the extra period, but the duo of Absin and Bornolia responded with a couple of threes followed by Escandor’s undergoal shot and put Pirates ahead 87-81, 1:57 to go. However, Tuwairqi refused to budge as Millena brothers responded with successive baskets, the last on Rey’s two foul shots to tie the game anew, 87-87, less than a minute to play. But the reliable Bince played big time for the Pirates to hit a corner triple at the buzzer sending his teammates to a frenzy.

Despite finishing strong in the elimination round with only one loss against Tuwairqi, SATORP-Molave suffered another heart-breaking setback, this time at the hands of a younger squad in Cyber Dudes 1, bowing out of the tournament.

In contrast, Cyber Dudes 1, had a jittery start after coming back from 0-3 win-loss card but finished strong at the end of elimination to occupy the last spot. Antonio Mara led Dudes with 23 points, MJ Mendez added 17 while four starters, Rodil Alfajora, Marlon Llupar, Jimmy Alzate and Jore, combined for 45 markers. For Clipper’s side, Ireneo Racacho finished with 20 points, Mark Vergara had 14, Erwin Solomon with 13 and Boogie Patinio with 10.

Satorp led for most part of the game using a 10-0 blast for a 48-36 spread at the end of first half. Satorp ended the third quarter ahead at 62-54. But things turned in the last quarter as they lost an eight-point lead in just under 2 minutes and finally succumbed to the opponent’s run-and-gun game.

BTC Network continued its impressive showing ending Al Hoty Calibration’s winning streak with an 84-72 victory and plays title favorite PCB Bulldogs in junior D5-B finals. Jesus (JR) Celebrado enjoyed an all-around game to finish with 36 points while center Kelly Sinque struck hardest in the paint and had 25 points with 10 rebounds while veteran Marvin Maniago added 13.

Carlos Baguna led Calibrators with 28 points, Johnray Quinto had 19 while Bong Arevalo and Lester Respicio added 11 and 8 respectively.

With momentum shifting from both sides, BTC Network finally took control in the latter part of the game as Calibrators lost two of their key players – Baguna and Quinto – in succession due to fouls. Still tied at 61-61 on Respicio’s three-pointer, BTC’s Sinque completed a three-point play off Baguna’s foul to go up 65-61, halfway in the last quarter.