Friendster was made to fight real hard for a spot in the final, beating a fighting young Jeddah United squad in overtime 86-84 in the centerpiece Inter-Commercial Open Rated Division in the 2nd Nokia-Asha and 35th FBA season basketball tournament at the Sheraton Jeddah Hotel Sport Complex court.

In contrast, Spicy Fingers Explosive had no such difficulty when it won by default over no-show Avengers earlier on Friday sewing up the first berth and leaving Friendster and Jeddah United in a knockout game for the second championship slot.

Cris Melebo’s Friendster and Spicy Fingers of playing manager Raymond Matias face off Friday at 9 p.m. in Game 1 of their best-of-three championship series.

The championship for the Inter-Hotel & Restaurant Division was also set after InterContinental Jeddah Hotel and Uncle Majid Rice & Toppings won their knockout semifinal games during Week 16 of this prestigious tournament sponsored by Nokia.

Inter-Con edged Saudia Catering 56-54 in the third game Thursday while Francis Magat’s Uncle Majid brought down Baby Shaq-led Park Hyatt Jeddah 71-60 in the second game Friday.

Friendster blew a 15-point lead at 30-15 in the first quarter and needed to draw on its vast experience to put away Obaid Madani’s JU coached by Hassan Zeineideen.

Mursi Akad had a breakout game for Friendster, leading all scorers with 37 points including a crucial three-pointer in the overtime period. He also pulled down a pair of critical defensive rebounds in the thrilling contest that had the crowd on its feet.

Christian Guimpatan added 14 points, big man Salman contributed 13 before fouling out in the closing minutes while Tom Basa added 10. A good passer, Zyad Pascual played the point with authority as he ably filled the void left by Friendster starting point guard Robby David who has yet to return from vacation in the Philippines.

The bigger and taller Jeddah United showed its dominance in the paint to chisel away at the Friendster lead. Getting baskets from hardworking Ramzi and 16-year old Mohanad Amir, United tied the game at 63 and got a taste of the lead at 73-72 on free throws by Ramzi with 41 seconds to play.

A defensive stop that led to a Guimpatan fastbreak basket followed two free throws by Akad off a foul by Ali to give Friendster some breathing room 76-73 only for Ramzi to hit back for United 76-75.

Akad grabbed a defensive rebound with 13 ticks left and split his free throws off the fifth foul for Ramzi before Tartousi forced overtime 77-77 when he drove the lane against a phalanx of defenders for a layup with four ticks left.

In the extra period, Friendster hit the first four points before Akad shot all but one point in an 8-0 blast including a towering three that staked Friendster to an 85-81 lead, time down to 42 seconds. Coached by Allen Ng, Friendster milked the clock and though a Pascual free throw made it 86-84 with 6 ticks left after Said cluster four points Jeddah United still had a chance but a desperation shot by Tartousi clanged the rim.

Ramzi finished the night with 33 points, Mohanad made 14, Tartousi had 11 and Said added 10 points for Jeddah United.

KIA limited Pepsi to 6 third quarter points to score a 60-52 come-from-behind victory in the Inter-Company Group A semifinal game Friday.

KIA plays the winner of the Toyota Sequoia-Giordano Juffali semis in the final.

Other games Friday: KFAFH vs. Saudi German Hospital 6 p.m. Inter-Hospital Reinforced semifinal, New Breed Al-Shaya vs. Silencer 2 7:30 p.m. Inter-Company B semifinal, FocusAd vs. ITC 10:30 p.m. Inter-Company B semifinal.