Dubai: Former PBA Manila pro Alan Yu and Reymond Resquites poured in 20 points each as Digital Clues clued back from the fangs of defeat in the last 57 seconds to eke out a 79-77 win over Dubai Drydocks in the Giordano Cup first PBA-Dubai Winter Basketball League at the Al Wasl Club.
Down by five points (72-77) with 1:29 in the last quarter, Chris Flores hit a jumper and two penetration drives by Yu put Digital Clues in the driver's seat 78-77 with 24 seconds remaining.
Arnold Aguila, who led Drydocks with 17 points, bungled on an easy lay up that could have regained their lead. Then, with 14 seconds to go, another chance for the Docksiders came their way in the last offensive but Alex Calueng lost control of the ball while manoeuvring in the left flank to drive to the basket.
Flores' split charity ensured the Digital Clues narrow victory with just one second remaining before the final buzzer. Kulot Bungabong added 11 points, Al Federiso and Chris Flores had 10 points apiece for Larry Tinio's five players with double figures.
Three-point specialist Gary Hernandez could not find his touch and rhythm, and after numerous tries beyond the arc, he only managed to convert one field goal (a triple) in each quarter for an anaemic 12-point output.
Veteran Yu attacked the basket with his driving lay-ups and made mincemeat of his assigned guards with higher accuracy from his medium jumpers.
He had 8 assists and 6 rebounds to complement his shared-high-scoring honours of 20 points.
William Miller contributed 15 points, Hernandez had 12, Manny Balingit 11, Calueng 10 for Drydocks heartbreaking loss.
Fixtures
Today's matches:
9am: Fairmont Hotel vs Grand Hyatt; 10.40am: Dubai Drydock vs Desert Group (inter-company); 12.20pm: Continental Restaurant vs Sun and Sands; 2 pm: Al Hedaya vs Expert Movers; 3.40pm: Maharlika/Coriner Cargo vs Dubai Drydocks (Class-A); 5.30pm: UAE Exchange vs Digital clues (Class-A).
