Saipem of Art Caliboso fended off a stiff challenge from Nesma & Partners Team of Fred Ticong in a nerve-wracking 107-104 overtime victory to claim the Inter-company B championship title recently at Al Qadisia gymnasium here.

Herbert Abasanta exploded for 44 points in the game to carry Saipem to an exciting victory. This output was Abasanta’s best in all of Saipem’s games in their only second appearance in the league.

With the game on the line, Abasanta single handedly carried the scoring cudgels in the extra period scoring 11 of the team’s 17 points that earned him MVP honors and a spot in the mythical five selection alongside teammates John Supan (25 points) and Robert Montegrande (15 points) and Gerald Medina and Cresante Generaole who each scored 27 markers for Nesma.

MVP strong contender, Ismael Batutay, had a sloppy game for Nesma to finish with a measly 11 points and even failed to make it to the mythical five. Leonardo Resane and Paul Matala combined for 12 points for Saipem while Arkie Piosca, Rodelio Villasista and Jefre Barriors tallied 21 points for Nesma.

The first 20 minutes featured a head-to-head battle between two of the teams’ potent scorers with Abasanta and Supan scoring 13 and 12 points for Saipem and Generaole, and Medina putting in 12 and 9 for Nesma. Saipem led both quarters 21-17 and 46-43.

But just when it seemed Saipem was on a roll for a complete dominance in the third, Nesma’s offense came to life capped by Generaole and Medina’s back-to-back baskets for a 70-59 lead, time down to just 29.2 seconds. However, Nesma’s 11-point lead slowly vanished as Saipem went on an 11-1 tear behind Abasanta to come within 4, 82-86, 1:26 left in the last quarter. Nesma had a golden opportunity of putting the game away after Batutay’s short jumper for a 90-85 lead, 22.2 seconds left, but Abasanta responded with a basket on the next trip. With 3.8 ticks on the clock, Montegrante was fouled by Bocado and made the first penalty shot only for Abasanta to grab the offensive rebound after he missed his second free-throw. Abansanta then made an uncontested shot sending the match in overtime.

Zamil Industrial’s silent hero, Wilson Pelaez, scored an unbelievable shot underneath the basket to lift his team to an 80-78 win over Zamil Group and claim the Inter-Company A title.

Tied 78-78 with 8.8 seconds left in the final frame, Pelaez intercepted an outlet pass from the Group at the turn and threw a desperation shot underneath and the ball went in at the buzzer.

Sherwin Margallo topscored for the Industrial with 21 points, Wilson Pelaez added 16, Albert Patdu 14, Carlo Algerre 9, while El Amar, Patrick Hermosura and Jeffrey Ortiz combined for 18 points. Patdu’s overall performance earned him an MVP award. With Patdu in the mythical five were teammates Bong Libramonte and Carlo Algerre and Louie Villa and Ahmed Al-Shaik from the Group’s side.

Cyber Dudes 2 completed a strong come back by beating Centerpoint, 87-83 to bag the Junior D5-A title.

Marlon Llupar finished with 23 points, Deo Quinto added 20, MJ Mendoza tallied 16 while MVP Louie Villa scored 17 which capped an all-around performance to lead his team to victory. Villa was joined by Quinto and Mendoza (Dudes), Ryan Domingo and Mark Pacaro (Centerpoint) in the mythical five. Domingo topscored for Centerpoint with 38 points, Gonzales had 14, Ruel Naz 13 and Fausto Tuscano 9.

Meanwhile, BTC Network had an unfinished match with an automatic win awarded to PCB Bulldogs. BTC retired midway of the third period due to technicalities while trailing 36-58. Gino Flores was named MVP and joining him in the mythical five were Jong Pineda and Gary Manadong (PCB) and Jesus Celebrado and Kelly Sinque (BTC).