Last week’s Friday Morning matches were all action-packed and went down the wire decided only in the last crucial few seconds.

Fireberkz defeated OBS 84-83, Nesma trounced Maxim Jamjoom 97-96 and Al-Shaya beat Okaz 72-71 in the OFBL 4th Conference Bracket A&B Non-Rated Division Friday Morning Games at Timeout Sports Academy Gymnasium on Television St., Ghulail District on the outskirts of Jeddah.

Fireberkz had an astonishing performance, as they started their bid for No. 1 spot in the eliminations in the Bracket A. With just 5 players for the first quarter until two more arrived in the 2nd quarter to make it a 7-man team, Fireberkz impressively fought hard to the finish and had to withstand the late resistance of OBS in the dying seconds.

The match was seesaw battle with both sides having runs of their own for the entire run of the game. Fireberkz lost a 4-point lead going to the final quarter, as OBS launched a 10-0 run to take the upper hand early in the period.

But Fireberkz sliced their lead bit by bit and finally regained the initiative with 5 minutes to go, which they further increased to 8. Fireberkz nursed a 6-point cushion going to the last 2 minutes. But a top team such as OBS won’t simply give up the fight. They used press, tightened their defense and challenged Fireberkz free-throw accuracy in exchange for 2 quick 2 points and a 3-pointer to come within 84-83 with just 4 seconds remaining. Though Fireberkz committed a turnover in their ball possession time just ran out for OBS.

George Giducos top-scored for Fireberkz with 31 points and had the support of Ruzzel Mangalindan on 17 points, Jonell Cruz 15 points and Keiron Reyes 10 points and 15 assists. Historillo tallied 18 points, Yang and Santos made 12 points apiece and Badua had 11points for the losing team.

In Bracket B, Nesma also had to endure the last seconds uprising of Maxim Jamjoom and held on to a 1-point victory. It was seemingly a high-scoring tight match, with no more than 5 points separating the two teams from the second period. Nesma was protecting 5-point lead going to the last 2 minutes but was stunned by Maxim’s late run that tied the ballgame at 96.

With just 9 seconds remaining and Nesma in ball possession, Allan Estrella attacked the basket but was fouled with 3 seconds left. He missed the first but netted the second to give Nesma a 1-point edge, enough to snatch the game from Maxim, which failed to score in the dying seconds.

Mohammed spearheaded Nesma with 30 points and combined with Allan Estrella who had a game-high 17 assists and 15 points. Llamos had 12 points and Villanueva 11.

On a day of 1-point wins, Alshaya banked on a crucial shot from Jordan in the dying seconds to seize the win from Okaz 72-71.

Jordan finished with 13 points while Sandayan and Dinifilix each had 10 points apiece for Alshaya.

Meanwhile, in the Inter-Company Reinforced Evening Games last Thursday, Grain Silos proved too strong for UDH, scoring a 105-82 victory.

It was a high-scoring game as both teams displayed their shooting skills but Grain Silos just got the better firepower, dominating UDH throughout the game offensively.

Bautista scored 45 points to lead Grain Silos. He got valuable help in offense from Macaspac with 27 points and De Guzman with 22. In the Inter-Company Bonafide Non-Rated Division, Silencer defeated IBN Sina 91-89 putting to naught Abulencia’s 41-point performance. Carino tallied 25 points and Hamdy contributed 19 to lead the winning team.

Compass defeated Box Maker 84-79 in the Above 40 Division. The duo of Briones and Vizcayno headed Compass with 19 points apiece.

Art’s Cuisine, PPC, Jollibee and Al Zugbi Tailoring are the tournament sponsors.