Back to its deadly form, former champion Manila Express Cargo-One Family cut short powerhouse Power Horse Energy Drink winning streak by a wide 16-point margin, 88-72, to share the lead in the team rankings in the continuing elimination rounds in the Division 1 of the Subaru Cup 2012 of Pinoy Basketball of Qatar (PIBAQ), presented by McDonald’s.

Manila Express Cargo started to rally even early in the first quarter, 30-19, as the Power Horse could not get their game going while players from the opposing team started to wax hot to even pull away from the lead.

The triumvirate of Michael Paderes, Jeff Cristobal and big man center Jason Tiongson of Power Horse tried a comeback but every time they connected a basket, this would always be retaliated by the duo of Michael Olino and Richard Raagas.

In the spirit of sportsmanship, Power Horse Coach Nelson Del Santos openly accepted their first taste of loss after coming up strongly with two successive big wins since the opening of the new season.

At the Division 2, thrill and excitement filled the air in the clash between equally strong teams, KIA Motors and Juan Pinoy that ended in the deadlock in regulation time. Juan Pinoy however loses its steam in the extra five-minute extension and bowed out to KIA, 93-82.

The game was so tight all throughout the game that it had through at least five deadlocks including the regulation time since both teams are parading young players mostly from popular collegiate teams in the Philippines.

Two players from both teams nearly figured in a scuffle after the inevitable body clash inside the 15-foot shade but cooler heads from the PIBAQ officials tried to break and pacify the fistfight. Both players were just slapped of a warning for second motion, as the referees would just let go of a crucial game.

In the other games, Eric Tamayo shone again in his 33-point rally to lift Smart Gilas 3 victory over Gulf Warehousing Co., 73-70 while the Dukhan Ballers led by rising Filipino basketball star CJ Casas gave QDVC LRT it’s first loss, 76-69. And the  depending champion IMCO Engineering marked of 32 points lead victory over Kahramaa, 89-57.

Ali Café tried a payback from its loss last week by escaping a narrow victory over Mowasalat Karwa, 65-53 while PDB Natsco-Adastra won over Team Creations, 81-64.