THE Wolves 007ers sent a clear but alarming message to the defending St. Ignatius de Loyola Cup champion Kings 005ers.
This, as the Wolves scored sweet revenge against the Kings via a hairline 79-78 victory to signal a renewed rivalry in the Xavier University High School Alumni Basketball Association (XUHS-ABA) League Season 9 here on Friday at XUHS Pueblo covered courts.
Ephraim "Atom" Dahilan pulled a game high 28 points, while Jawo "Woja" Demecillo came low with five points but Bini Castanares and Christopher Tala were around to give 10 and 9 points, respectively.
From a 65-all, the Wolves finally broke away from a tight match after pulling a 12-4 run in 2:54 minutes of the final fourth quarter.
Jet Yaranon ignited a comeback after sinking a trey, while John Pupos and Jay Manulat were connecting charity shots with the Wolves under penalty situation to come close by one point deficit in 24 seconds left.
The Wolves put themselves to a scare after Dahilan lost the ball from Manulat's hassle in 17 seconds left.
But all of the sudden, the possession went back to the Wolves after Tala anticipated a steal from Yaranon and saw Bini wide open for the run.
Pupos chased Bini, drew a hard foul and fell over the floor after his legs cramped with 4.8 seconds left.
Bini just could not seal the win as he missed both free throws and gave the Kings the final possession.
Yaranon saw Jay Bryan Salavana wide open for the jumper, but missed before time expired.
Yaranon also finished 22 points for the Kings, while Manulat had 12.
Meanwhile, JR Valledor fired 21 points to lead his Salig 2000 to a 68-60 win against IAM 98 in the curtain raiser game.
It is Salig's second straight win in the St. Peter Faber Cup.
Loudielord Ampo was IAM 98's consistent offensive leader with 15 points, while Franki Salvana and Milber Alinas gave 10 and 9 markers, respectively.
Abelou Sanchez and Ryan Yacapin were not in their usual form, but they majorly missed the services of their two reliable guards Mike "Kaway" Daming and Ace "Bron" Noble, who was seen visible at the Pueblo golf course.
In other curtain raiser match, defending St. Peter Faber champion XUHS 2001 rebounded from their first game default as they defeated 5-time ABA champions XUHS 99ers, 65-62.
1st game:
XUHS 2000 68 -- Valledor 21, Zapanta 11, Dodgem 7, Suson 6, Tadeo 6, Amogon 4, Noble 4, Cabrezos 3, Pacuribot 3, Quino 3, Yacapin 2
IAM 98 60 -- Ampo 15, Salvana 10, Alinas 9, Mendaros 6, Palen 6, Abbu 3, Sanchez 3, Veloncio 3, Ocampo 2, Onico 2, Yacapin 2
2nd game:
Wolves 79 -- Dahilan 28, Bini 10, Tala 9, Kamandagz 8, Papsy 5, Woja 5, Pacifico 4, Pamisa 3, Tiyo 2, Begs 1, Serina 1
Kings 78 -- Yaranon 22, Manulat 13, Canoy 12, Pupos 10, Reyes 5, Nacalaban 4, Romanlos 4, Mercado 0, Roa 0, Rubia 0.
(JJF)