DEFENDING champion Team Creation and Concepts survived yet another cliffhanger against Manila Express Cargo-One Family to register another victory, 87-82, in ongoing Division-1 elimination rounds of Subaru Cup 2012 of Pinoy Basketball Qatar (PIBAQ).

This was the second straight win by Team Creations while One Family its second setback at the games held at Al Gharafa Sports Club Hall that has already drawn hundreds of Filipino fans who also started to follow the NBA-like plays of different teams slugging it out at the Qatar Men’s Basketball League.

Last season’s MVP Francis Mercado salvaged a squeaker after he converted a heavily-guarded perimeter shot and bonus free throws from a foul in an interception of an inbound play with 44 seconds left in the game.

One Family was leading, 82-81, but Mercado’s comeback plays had suddenly changed the complexion of the game. Two players from both teams, Danilo Cruz of One Family and Joshua castro of Team Creations earlier banged each other as they went down from a rebound battle that turned into thrash talk prompting referees to slapped them with technical fouls.

Another interception came from the hands of Michael Olino of One Family with 14 seconds left that saw Ronnie Cajayon immediately took a fastbreak to seal off their victory until the final buzzer.

Winning teams at the Division-2 dumped their opponents with lopsided wide margins. CEG International commanded a 55-point edge over Qatar Knights, 90-35, while Team Creations Stars dealt a a severe blow to Smeet Precast with 89-point margin, 128-39.

Ali Café also enjoyed a win by default against Gulf Warehousing whose players again never showed up in the game.

QP Dukhan also survived its own version of thriller to win the game against QDVC LRT, 85-77, even as reliable Jessie Macasa was sidelined from an elbow-hit injury. The technical foul from QDVC’s Kemuel Proceso has weakened their focus in the game.

KBAS Contracting dumped Mowasalat Karwa, 84-61, Consultants Ralos winning against cellar dweller Al Dar Exchange, 83-63 and Mercury Engineering winning against Exxova WLL.