“Nahkowh’s Eric Tamayo tries to go after the ball from Bryan Tolentino of TCC Stars-botak”.

By: Chris Panganiban

Pictures by: FRITSCHE BAUTISTA (Chaiful Ideas)

  

DOHA:Defending champion TCC Stars-Botak survived another exciting two-point victory over Nahkowh, 79-77, to stay on top of standing with a clean 7-0 record in the Bracket A of Power Horse Energy Cup 2013 of the 13^th season of Pinoy Basketball of Qatar (PIBAQ).

The win put the reigning team into clinching one of the four slots in the semifinal rounds with two weeks to go when the eliminations will be over in the ongoing Friday games at Al Gharafa Training Gym.

Former MVP Eric Tamayo tried to single-handedly keep the ball alive for Nahkowh with his miracle-like half-court throw with four seconds left but such feat was not good enough to equalize the game and take a breath of life in the five-minute extension period.

Fans could very well reminisce the heroics of Tamayo in the same mid-court throw with 1.8 seconds left during the recent 4^th GCC All Filipino Club Championship on April 18-19, 2013 which sealed the thrilling victory for the Qatar over Abu Dhabi, 84-83.

TCC Stars-Botak was ahead by six points with two minutes left, 78-72, but Nahkowh was given a lease of life when Bryan Tolentino committed a foul from a rainbow shot by Ronald Fiel who converted two of three shots from the charity line.

With 11 seconds left, Tamayo took a duty-foul from Tolentino who converted one of one in the free throw.

Like TCC Stars-Botak, another league leader QDVC LRT in the Bracket B is on their way to be assured of the second slot in the semifinals. This early, fans are already looking forward for a clash of the top two titans.

In other game results: One Family-Office System easily trumped Diplomatic Club, 87-73; Unibeton and CEG International both won by a default over their rivals QP Dukhan and CheChie; Dukhan Ballers over Mercury Engineering, 66-58; QDVC LRT lorded it over with a 39 point lead over Al Gassar, 91-52; QAFAC over Gulf Warehousing, 99-94 and IMCO Engineering with a 15-point margin over Ali café, 82-67. 

Teams Scores:

TCC Stars-Botak: Ronnie Cajayon-31, Tristan Cristobal-16, Bryan Tolentino-13, Roi Yorac-13, Serapio Sarmiento-4, Peejay Santos-2, Dan Constantino-0

Nahkowh: Eric Tamayo-27, Ronald Fiel-15, Arman Catibog-12, Jonathan Pacional-8, Arjay Gonzales-6, Wilson Navarro-5, Philip Villarosa-2, Ryan Libuit-1, Daniel Grindulo-1