Bouncing back from their overtime loss in the first game of the Cambodia Basketball League showpiece, Extra Joss Fighters posted a 84-79 victory over Mekong Tigers in the second game at the Olympic Indoor Arena on Saturday to take the championship series to the decider on September 19.

The Tigers looked set to wrap up the title round following their last Saturday’s 97-84 win, but after their initial buzzle, it was the Fighters who pounded their way to a well merited victory.

The Tigers jumped to a 10-3 lead inside the first four minutes of the game only to see the Fighters gradually close the gap and move ahead 22-16 at the end of the 10-minute spell. A hard fought second quarter saw Tigers whittle that lead down to three points at the break.

The Fighters stretched the lead in the third quarter with Siruma and Jomar Santos combining well to keep the score board ticking. For the Tigers, Matt Van Pelt and Jermaine Lattimore did good work, yet the side trailed Fighers 55-64.

Going into the final stretch with a nine point lead, The Fighters deftly held on to that advantage to ensure that the showdown was far from over and that they have now as good a chance as their rivals to clinch the championship for the first time.