Team 1-Series held on to the top spot as it remained undefeated in three outings after beating the Z4 squad, 122-120, Thursday night at the Autobahn-BMW Cup at Ayala Northpoint in Talisay City.

On the heels of 1-Series' triumph was the night-high and tournament record of 53 points registered by Carlo Chu, who led 2-Series to its first win in the tournament over X3, 123-114.

It was a tough loss for Z4 as they rallied from an18-point deficit in the third quarter but failed to get off the hump after committing crucial turnovers as it was on the verge of taking over the lead.

The tournament leader was superb in its execution of plays down the stretch.

With both teams tied at 120-all with 7.4 seconds to go, 1-series got the ball to playmaker Sean Sajo.

Z4 did everything it could to close the driving lanes but Sajo threaded the needle with a crisp pass underneath to Ariel Tornilla for the winning shot.

With less than a second left, Tommy Andren almost reversed Z4's fortune as his three-point attempt rimmed out at the buzzer.

Paolo Avecilla led 1-Series with 21 points while Sajo and Tornilla added 20 and 17 points, respectively.

Ronan added 13, Reygin Oquiana made 12 while Jun Hinojas had 10.

Ryan Lacson, Jake delaPaz and Vice Mayor Nilo Lizares combined for 23 points. Tommy Andren led Z4, now touting a 2-2 card, with 33 points while Robby Jalandoon and Dario Barba had 23 and 15 points respectively.

Arjay Jamero chipped in 14, Dobie Villadelgado with 12, Jerry Ong added 11 and Fredel Doromal with 8.

In the second match, Chu was unstoppable as he scored at will making 27 points in the second quarter and 18 in the third as the lead ballooned to 18 heading into the final canto.

Ramon Khey came alive in the 4th for X3, making four of his eight triples as the lead was cut to just 4 points with 6:34 remaining. Chu and Hans Schulze then teamed up to preserve the advantage for the eventual victory.

Schulze and Japeth Cua had 12 and 11, respectively for 2-series, which lost its first two games

Andrei Burbano and Andy Tio had 9 apiece, birthday boy Brian Misa added 7, Mark Abaja, Gerard Vicete and Von Biglete combined for 18 points.

Khey led X3, which is now tied with 2-Series at 1-2, with 30 points.

Kevin Lacson and Popoy Jamero had 23 and 19, respectively as Rixie Ureta added 13, Chac Mirano with 12, Luigino Lacson made 10 and Sarge Noble, 6 points.*

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NOPSSCEA Season 35 to open Sept. 7
3rd straight triumph for 1-Series; Chu fires 53 for 2-Series' first win