Former MBA stars Roy Lura and Rene Suba combined for 38 points to inspire Abu Dhabi-based UAE Exchange to a heart-stopping 78-77 win against Moneygram/Maharlika in the PBA Dubai ninth conference at Al Wasl Indoor Stadium last week.
Though Lura and Suba shone with their precise shooting skills, it was eventually a team effort that helped them through to their first win in two tries in the double-round elimination series.
Coach Don Robles's timely time-out produced the outcome of the game during their see-saw battle in the last two minutes of the ballgame.
Despite the presence of former PBA Manila star Erwin Velez, Moneygram/Maharlika were trailing from the start until the end of the third quarter.
However, they slowly inched their way closer to eventually grab the lead for the first time at 71-70 with 4.44 minutes left in the final quarter through a jumper from Edwin Pimentel.
Suba quickly retaliated to regain the lead for UAE Exchange with 3.29 left, but a split point from the foul line from Pimentel tied them 72-72 with two to go.
With only six seconds left, a foul sent Gucci Guttierez to the free throw line with the score of 78-76 in favour of UAE Exchange.
But lady luck deserted Moneygram/Maharlika as Guttierez missed his first free throw to hand over the game 78-77 to UAE Exchange. In another Class A division match, Digital Clues/Mediacom beat the undermanned Road Builders 69-58 to overcome their last week's loss to defending champions Al Wasl Travels.
Gani Mercado, Allan Yu and Daruca led with 12 points apiece for Al Wasl, while the Road Builders were served by Russel Badal's 26 points.
In the lone inter-hotel game, Crowne Plaza demolished Fairmont Hotel 118-58 in a one-sided game.
In Class B division action, Homera Decor shocked Al Mona Group 71-61 and Philippine Car Showroom subdued Leader Sports 80-63.
Friday's fixtures: (10 am) Dubal vs Kuntaw Warrior (Class B). (11.50 am) Jumeirah International Hotel vs Hyatt Dubai; (1.40 pm). Ponderosa/Continental Restaurant vs Gem/Equator(Class B); (3.30 pm) Al Manara/Edmark vs UAE Exchange (Class A); (5.35 pm) Universal Promotion vs Mona Group (Class B); (7.30 pm) Moneygram/Maharlika vs Al Wasl Travels (Class A).
