Toyota Aurion of Jimmy Abdullah Beltran rebounded from consecutive defeats to down Makati Foods El Khereiji 92-89 while Danube Himalaya toppled Fuddruckers S@H from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 95-84 victory at the weekend in the Filsama Basketball League 7th Conference at the NAFI Juffali Compound court in Bawadi District here.

These results that left Danube on 2-1, Fuddruckers 1-1 in a tie with idle E. A. Juffalai & Bros., Toyota 1-2 and Makati Foods 2-2 in the team standings opened prospects of a tight race for the two championship berths in the double round robin Inter-Company Bona fide Division.

Meantime, Arabian Homes moved within a victory of a sweep of Group B Open Non Rated eliminations by edging out league newcomer Maya Int’l Co. 82-81 in a thrilling down-the-wire game that capped Thursday’s actions.

In Open Non Rated Division Group A, Friendster scored its second straight win over Cotabato-Erfan Bagedo Hospital 89-92 in the second game Thursday, while in Group B of the same division Old Airport Islamic Team defeated Alex Bedia's Compass Ocean Logistics 103-93.

In the Inter-Color Division, White Friendster defeated Red 97-83 for its fourth straight victory while Black won against shorthanded Blue 88-81 in a battle of cellar dwellers.

White and Red both entered the game unbeaten but the former emerged the better team thanks to the 18 points apiece from Cobre and Asperga and 17 from Yousuf.

In a back-and-forth game where both teams put premium on defense, Aurion took a 77-76 lead at the six-minute mark in the fourth quarter and hang on to victory behind the trio of Edwin Gadingan, Dorado and Montano Dela Cruz.

The veteran Gadingan, bulldozing his way inside the paint, scored 26 points, Dorado had 24 and Dela Cuz added 16 though it was the two free throws by Borcigue that ease the pressure off Aurion 91-87 with 18 seconds to play.

After a quick basket on the next trip Dela Cruz was fouled and he split his free throws to set the final count 92-89.

The Desquitado cousins Richard and JR led Makati with 25 and 15 points respectively.

Gino Cilot, Mabutol and Destreza scored 18, 16 and 15 points at the helm of a Danube attack that was built around skillful dribbling and passing. Adrian Bulacan paced Fuddruckers with 26 points.

After winning its opener Maya suffered back-to-back down-the-wire losses including last Thursday’s game that slipped off its fingers.

Destreza’s two free throws broke the tie at 78 then his Arabian Homes teammate Guerrero also converted two attempts from the free-throw line for the go-ahead points 82-78, eight ticks left, after Guerrero was duty fouled by Damasino, who head earlier turned the ball over after being harrassed by three AH defenders.

On its last possession Maya inbounded at the backcourt. Damasino hit a three but his attempt was blocked by Cilot but then he retook possession and this time the ball went in as the buzzer sounded for the final score 82-81.