The Hoopaholics pulled off a nail-biting 84-83 victory over KB Market in the curtain raiser in the UFO-Budweiser Open Division Basketball League last Thursday night at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

The win was second in a row for the Hoops, which dropped its opener against Kanoa Resort, 70-71, while KB Market absorbed its second loss after three games. KB Market had chances to either tie the game or win the match, but could not cash in on baskets in the homestretch.

After Freddie Litulumar canned the go-ahead shot for the Hoops with less than a minute left in the game, 84-82, KB Market had an opportunity to even up the count when Elmer Esdrelon was fouled. However, Esdrelon, who is usually a reliable free throw shooter, bowed to pressure and missed his first attempt from the stripe before making the second, leaving the Hoops with a one-point lead.

The Hoops then faltered on its next offensive set, giving KB Market another chance to steal the win in the last nine seconds of the game. However, again, KB Market wasted the opportunity with Leo Galarse muffing a triple at the buzzer.

’The Hoopaholics-KB Market was a seesaw battle with the former winning in the end after getting a lift from Kevin Fitial in the fourth quarter. Fitial scored 8 of his team-high 15 points in the final period. The Hoops also earned crucial markers (8) from the foul line to edge KB market.

In the second game, Toka Degree snapped its two-game losing skid after defeating Kanoa Resort (1-2).

Toka Degree drew a big game from Tony Diaz, who fired 28 points to power his team to its first victory of the season. Juan Camacho also did his share in the victory, notching 20 points, 9 of them came in the fourth canto.

The fourth period started with Toka still behind, 52-55, before Camacho picked up where Diaz left off to save their team from a 0-3 start. Jawn Joyner also helped out in the fourth, adding 7 markers.

Kanoa Resort lost the lead and eventually the game after Preston Basa was neutralized in the fourth frame. Basa finished the third with 24 points, but was held to one field goal in the final canto. Only Don Brennan and Leornard Sablan nailed more than one field goal for Kanoa Resort in the fourth period and the latter’s baskets came when the match was already in the bag for Toka.

Kanoa logged only 14 points in the fourth quarter against the 25 of Toka.

First Game

Hoopaholics 84 – Fitial 15, Litulumar 13, Tenorio 11, Mendez 9, Babauta 8, Lauron 8, Diaz 8, Itibus 7, Manibusan 2.

KB Market 83 – Esdrelon 23, Galarse 19, Barbo 10, Devero 8, Manalo 7, Berline 4, De Dios 2.

Scoring by quarters: 16-18, 38-42, 66-62, 84-83.

Second Game

Toka Degree 77 – T. Diaz 28, Camacho 20, Ja. Joyner 10, Mendiola 4, Reyes 4, Ju. Joyner 4, Aughenbaugh 4.

Kanoa Resort 69 – Basa 26, Brennan 18, L. Sablan 8, Coldeen 4, Duenas 4, Orbeta 2, S. Sablan 2, Cruz 2, Manglona 2.

Scoring by quarters: 15-14, 37-33, 52-55, 77-69