Everybody was expecting that balloons and confetti to fall down on Monday night to celebrate PELCO – Amazing ’09 victory in Game 2 of the best-of-three finals of the LNA7/USLS Inter-Barkada Basketball Tournament played at the West Negros University gym.

But everyone was wrong because Glitters Production went out and stole the spotlight from Amazing down the stretch to escape with an 85-81 win. Game 3 will be played tonight in the same venue.

Mark Celestial and Luigi Hererra sunk 9 and 8 points, respectively, to open a 25-13 blast in the first quarter as Nic Lopingco and Mitch Sindol scored 6 and 7 points each.

In the second quarter, Glitters continued to sizzle as they outscored Amazing, 22-16, for a 47-29 lead at the break.

Andrew Torres and Edmund Castellano hit 8 and 6 points, separately, while their teammates imposed tight defense on Amazing’s top scorer Tim Dumancas and held him to a 9-point quarter production.

In the third period, Jovi Sayson and Blace combined for 8 points to outplay Glitters, 16-12 run.

But, Hans Schulze scored 6 points, all in the shaded lane, to keep Glitters on top at the end of third quarter, 59-45.

In the final period, Dumancas nailed 10 points as Lopingco tallied 11 points to cut the lead to a single digit with two minutes left in the game. But Celestial scored six straight points of his last seven markers to keep Glitters at a distance, 80-74.

Blance was fouled on his way to the basket and completed his free throws to draw near at 80-76.

A strong drive to the basket from Dumancas forced Michael Chan to commit his fifth and last foul. Dumancas converted his charities to put Amazing within striking distance, 80-78.

Castellano made a quick counter attack but missed his lay-up as Stephen Escalante picked the loose ball for two points and gave the Glitters some breathing room, 82-78.

Then, Sindol attacked from the left wing and challenged Castellano’s defense, sending the latter back to the bench after getting his final foul. But Sindol split his free throws and posted a manageable advantage, 82-79.

Celestial hooked a foul from Dumancas but missed his free throws to extend Glitters’ slim lead to 83-79 with 12 seconds left in the game.

Lopingco then nailed two points to cut the lead anew, 83-81, but Torres was fouled away from the basket and split his charities for a three-point leadt, 84-81.

Lopingco tried to nail a triple but the shot went far right as Herrera was fouled, and again split his charities.

With five seconds left, Amazing tried to attempt for the last shot but failed as the final buzzer sounded.

Celestial led Glitters with 20 points backed by Castellano 10, Hererra and Torres with 9 apiece and Schulze with 8 points.

Dumancas paced Amazing with 20 points as Lopingco booked 17, Simbol 10 and Blance 8.*

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