Inter-Company newcomer Aluminum Manufacturing Company (Alumaco), brought down Al Tuwairqi Group 60-55 in a a heart-stopping thriller in the prestigious Eastern Province Basketball League (EPBL).

Alumaco’s big man Bryan Rosales teamed with forward Jhanrey Raymundo to ignite a 23-11 run and deal the mighty Al-Tuwairqi its first defeat in the tournament. It was Rosales’ end-game heroics, however, that made the difference.

With the game tied at 52 and team manager Alex Mejia visibly praying at the sidelines, Rosales sank his free throws for a two-point cushion that was quickly cut down to one by Roy Ortiz’s split from the line. Rosales then erupted with back-to-back baskets in the final minute to keep his team at a safe distance. Tuwairqi team captain Marcy Macias had a game-high 14 points and five rebounds but no other Tuwairqi players hit double figures.

In the Open League category, Lawin Sena had 26 points and 6 assists and Anthony Magno added 19 points and 11 rebounds as Phuket Restaurant swept the first round of League C eliminations beating multi-titled Sharbatly Fruits, 80-73.

Considered one of the legitimate contenders despite being formed only lately, the Thai Restaurateurs now carry a 4-0 slate with other wins over Arcon, Bangus Restaurant and Transformers team.

Jay-R Villareal led Sharbatly with 18 points and 10 rebounds while Jerwil Gabrador had 10 points.

Still reeling from a controversial loss to Arcon last week, the Ed Bation-coached Sharbatly five succumbed to its second loss in three games.

After trailing by a point with less than 4 minutes remaining, Phuket took a 70-69 lead with 3:29 left when Arnold Arguilles picked up a loose ball and calmly laid it in starting a 10-4 windup. It was Phuket’s first lead since closing the third period with a 54-52 advantage.

With Sharbatly missing opportunities, Jon Cabrigas hit a 15-foot jumper with 1:12 left and Dante Alipin making all his four free throws to put Phuket in front for good 76-69.

In the Premier League, Reniel Garcia scored 16 points and grabbed 8 rebounds while three-point gunner Elmer Fabula netted a game-high 19 points to power Al Rushaid Construction Company to an 84-64 rout of the undermanned National Pipe Company.

ARCC improved to 2-1 on the conference, matching the Pipemakers for the best record in EPBL in this three-round elimination phase.

Anthony Nabong led NPC with 16 points while big man Ariel Layug scored 15 and Ernie Baggay added 13.

ARCC dropped their opening game to NPC and then rallied in the second half for a 99-90 triumph over New Cabalen Restaurant last week.

With the absence of key players led by forward, Melvin Mamaclay, the boys of ex-pro Jovy See used a back-breaking 23-4 run in the second period to rip the game apart following a tied first quarter at 17-all. NPC never threatened from that point on.

Other game results: MEBCO 74, Kabayan Foods 72; Saipem 75, EIC 72; Tikaz Cooline 79, Al Majdouie 77; Transformer 84, Arcon 81.