Forward Fabrice Fisher scored 23 of his game-high 38 points in the second half as he guided Valencia to a come from behind 93-86 win over Canaan-Bon Accord at Shaw Park, Tobago on Friday night.
Valencia which whipped Palo Seco 103-68 on Wednesday, found the goings tough on the sister isle as the team trailed 24-15 at the end of the first quarter and 43-28 at the halfway stage.
In the third stanza, Fisher, who scored 41 points in the previous match, scored 12 points in the session, as Valencia shunned the home fans by outscoring the host 27-13 to close their deficit by just one point (55-56).
In the fourth and decisive quarter Fisher again took on Canaan-Bon Accord's hapless defence with 11 more points.
He inspired his teammate and centre court player Michael Saunders, who dropped 20 points that sealed a vital seven-point advantage going into's tomorrow's second-leg match in Valencia.
Valencia has won all five games contested at that venue to date.
For Canaan-Bon Accord, it was forward Allister Roachford who gave his team an early spark. He ended on 28 points and Jonathan Potts supported with 13.
In South Trinidad, forward Ako Corey Pascal helped himself to 47 points which guided Marabella to a comfortable 86-59 win over Siparia, at the Irwin Park Basketball Court.
In Rio Claro, Caledonia defeated Rio Claro, the champion team of East Sector One 94-74.
On Thursday night, Bethel recorded the biggest victory of the League when they knocked Diego Martin out of the competition with a 76-72 win at River Estate Basketball Court, Diego Martin.
Going into the final 90 seconds of play and leading 70-72, Bethel closed the contest with a 6-0 run while on the other end Diego missed eight of consecutive free-throws.
Diego Martin with the full support of its residents led 18-16 at the end of the first quarter and 30-29 at half-time.
The home-team then displayed a comfortable court skills in the third session to open a 53-44 lead before being stunned by the opposition which scored 32 points to 19 in the final stanza.
Bethel will now face joint-title favourite Maloney on a date to be announced.
For the winners, Kernelle Heath led the charge with 32 points, point-guard Jerrel Orr added 21 and Akeem Deleon supported with 13.
For Diego, Gershwin Duncan produced 24 points and guard Richard Guiseppi helped himself to 16 points.
In other matches, Barataria outplayed Gonzales of Point Fortin 82-52 to advance to meet La Romaine today at Lucky Street Basketball Court, La Romaine.
Out at Guayaguayare, Sangre Grande recorded a 71-62 win over the home-team Guayaguayare to book its place in the next round of the competition.
FIXTURES
Today's fixtures:
La Romain v Barataria,at La Romain, 7 pm
Valencia v Canaan-Bon Accord, at Valencia, 7 pm
Arima v La Brea, at Arima, 7 pm
Caledonia v Rio Claro,at Caledonia, 7 pm