Hoop It Up walked away with a close 75-71 win over the equally-tough Athletes for Christ in Excellent Service (ACES), while the USC Baby Warriors escaped with a 51-48 thriller over the Consolacion LGU Sarok in the other nerve-tingling match.
Hoop It Up of coach Marvin Felicis led only by a matchstick at halftime, 31-30, but dropped a 22-11 bomb in the third period to mount a dozen-point advantage, 53-41, entering the last 10-minute zone of the game, 53-43.
The ACES side staged a spirited resistance at the endgame, but Hoop It Up delivered when it mattered most to hang on to a four-point triumph.
Earlier, USC and Consolacion LGU Sarok engaged in a hill-to-hill battle, but the Baby Warriors hit crucial plays and rode on lucky breaks in the closing minutes to seal the match.
The scores
Hoop It Up (75) - Yncierto 22, Abia 16, Anagap 15, Resalla 8, Caballero 6, Cañete 4, Cañete 2, Manguraban 2
ACES (71) - Filoteo 25, Cantanao 16, Quintana 9, Delantar 9, Ngojo 5, Sardina 4, Balasabas 3
Quarterscores:21-18, 31-30, 53-41, 75-71