NEWCOMER CEG International foiled veteran team TeamCreation & Concepts Stars’ chances of making it to the semi-finals anew in an eight-point edge, 87-79, of their do-or-die game at the close of elimination rounds of the Class-B of Subaru Cup 2012 of Pinoy Basketball of Qatar on Friday at Al Gharafa Training Gym.

CEG’s rookie Albert Herradura lifted his team with a big 23 points including 9 of 14 free throws, nine rebounds which was very crucial when they started to pull away in the third quarter and never looked back until the final buzzer.

CEG was leading by three points in the first quarter but this was wiped out when TCC came back in the second quarter to tie a 14-point production apiece, the most exciting part of the game so far marred by a double foul by Zyrus Lucresia and Wilson Navarro with 2:39 left in the period.

Rookie Tristan Japson of CEG started to wax hot in the third quarter and proved to be unstoppable with his 20-point production in the period alone including a back-to-back three-point baskets which was the turning point of the game.

Another double foul between Rudymhier Timog and Mike Bautista ensued again in the final period plus the double foul meted to TCC’s Charlie Bongabong which prevented the losing team to establish a momentum and a rally.

CEG sealed the double-digit advantage with 2:39 left in the game and consequently captured the well-deserved victory, a rare feat for a newbie in the league of strong Filipino teams slugging it out to take the more tough semi-final rounds.

Meanwhile, the five-team Class-A Division will see action again in the hard court at the Gharafa Sports Hall in between the Qatar Basketball Federation’s inter-club games. Batang Isarog will take on Manila Express Cargo-One Family in the first game while Team Creation will take on league leading Power Horse Energy Drink in the second game.

Five teams are already in the semi-finals at the Class B Division including KIA Motors and Flamin’Go in Group 3, Natsco Garage and CEG International in Group 2 and Dukhan Ballers in Group 1. The last slot will go to the winner in the game between QP Dukhan and Alicafe on Friday.