Firewind was leading by 7 points at the end of the first half, but Toyota 2 stepped up its intensity in the last two quarters to outscore Firewind, 40-25, en route to a 74-66 victory last Friday in the OFBL 3rd Conference Friday Morning Rated C Division at Timeout Sports Academy Gymnasium, on Television St. in Ghulail District on the outskirts of Jeddah.

Toyota remained undefeated after five outings to tie Okaz for the lead in the team standings of the division. Toyota was trailing behind Firewind all throughout the first half, and was down by as much as 13 points early on. The fast-paced offensive sallies by Firewind, led by Patrick Reyes and Roland Dela Cruz, gave Toyota a hard time during that period.

But they were kept within striking distance, by their usual offensive leaders Montano Delacruz and Paul Taguba, patiently trying to counter every Firewind basket , to end the half 7 points behind Firewind at 34-41.

Toyota started the second half with a 7-0 run orchestrated by Llamado to tie the ballgame at 41, then Dela Cruz drained a 3-pointer that gave them a taste of lead 46-45. The third period ended with Toyota ahead by three, 55-52.

In the 4th quarter, Toyota came out strong and played good team defense to increase its lead to as much as 8 points.

So effective was the defense it held Firewind ace player Patrick Reyes in check, who was scoreless in the fourth quarter.

Though, Firewind made a late scare, closing in within 3 points, 62-65, with 3 minutes left in the game, Toyota was quick enough to deny them the momentum, forcing them to commit turnovers.

Three players scored in double digits to lead the way for the Toyota. Dela Cruz ended up with 21 points, Taguba had 19 and Dorado 13.

Also, for Toyota, Borcegue collected 8 points, Llamado recorded 7 points and Arania added 6 points. The tandem of Dela Cruz and Reyes produced 20 s and 17 points, respectively, for the losing team.

In the other Friday Morning Games, Jeddah Dreamers pressed its bid to make it to the Final 4 of the Non-Rated Division as they trashed Aramex, 85-54.

Also, AMIA kept alive its hopes to qualify for the semifinals with a 94-76 victory over OBS.

Meanwhile, in the Evening Division games last Thursday, Ibn Sina finally got its first win in 6 outings as it overcame Almarai 81-78 in the Inter-company Bonafide Division.

M-Gharib crushed Al-Jeraisy to improve its win-loss card to 2-2, in the Reinforced Division. Friday night, Toyota overpowered BHBC, 79-62, to take second place position in Above 40 Division standings. And Hidada handed Bupa its first loss, 74-60, to be assured of a slot in the semifinals with a 5-2 card.