The ACES went strong in the windup to humble the MLSDF Dream Team, 82-72, while the SCSIT Baby Skyblazers banked on a fierce second quarter explosion to blow away Consolacion Sarok, 103-84.
The ACES stalwarts and MLSDF Dream Team figured in a hill-to-hill battle most of the way to the delight of a small throng of spectators.
However, the MLSDF stars literally turned into stone after grabbing the lead for the last time, 71-69, with less than four minutes left to play.
After that, the MLSDF cagers threw bricks and committed crucial errors, enabling the ACES to secure the win using a decisive 13-0 rally in the final three-minute mark of the contest.
MLSDF hopes to make up from that setback, but the youthful wards of coach Anginc Anciado have a mountain to climb as they face next the heavily-favored Hoop It Up this Sunday at the Consolacion Sports Complex.
Earlier, SCSIT trailed by two at the end of the first quarter, 18-20, but spewed fire in the second period where they launched a furious 35-21 counter-attack to take a 12-point edge, 53-41, at the intermission.
The scores
First game
SCSIT (103) - Soriano 31, Jabadan 20, Villaver 14, Tampus 10, Dedios 9, Tajanlangit 6, Loon 6, Deniega 4, Baculi 3
Consolacion Sark (84) - Dahil 20, Valle 13, Somosot 12, Maraño 9, Pilapil 8,Burlaos 6, Quiapo 6, Villamor 6, Iballe 2, Gungob 2
Second game
ACES (82) - Villanil 22, Quiñana 18, Cantonao 16, Filoteo 8, Sardiña 6, Delantar 4, Ty 4, Ngoho 4
MLSDF Dream Team (72) - Cortez 18, A. Cabahug 15, Datan 9, E. Cabahug 8, Jacobe 6, Tecson 6, Ybañez 4, Bosque 3, Belocura 2, Dinsay 1