By Our Correspondent/Doha


HLG-Leighton continued their winning streak with another end-game survival against Hero Jireh, winning the match 97-91 to stay in top position at the Elite Division of the 18th Mens’ Championship Cup of Pinoy Basketball of Qatar (PIBAQ) at
the Al Gharafa Training Gym over the weekend.
It was Ronnie Cajayon’s converted free throws with five seconds left in the game that proved to be the deciding factor to seal HLG-Leighton’s fourth straight victory. Hero’s Charlie Herradura tried but failed to convert a basket in the rainbow territory, that could have given his team an inch closer with just a point deficit before the buzzer sounded.
Leighton’s Bonlex Magcawas added two more baskets in the free throw line to seal the win with just two seconds remaining to foil the last ditch attempt of the opposition.
Led by Hero’s veteran point guard Elmer Santander whose fancy assists and hard-earned drive baskets has inspired his team mates to play several put backs to keep them afloat within just a striking distance and maintain a fighting position throughout the game.
The frontliners of Leighton however could be too much to handle to the HERO squad as the stars of the winning team waxed hot with their couple of treys and fastbreak drives. Former MVPs Eric Tamayo and Ronnie Cajayon contributed 33 points and 26 points respectively while Magcagawas and Kurt Fiel added 18 points apiece.
In another exciting game, Amwaj Nasser Steelers beat Junalvin-Supreme Technologies-CEG International 90-71, in a lopsided game.