Sophon Pinitpacharalert and Boonchuay Phopak gave the champions a 24-13 lead in the first quarter. The Air Force started marking their men, but Hi-Tech responded by pinning their rivals before jumping to 38-27 at half-time.

The Air Force, who needed a win to advance, staged a fast break, while Hi-Tech fielded all key players - Piyapong Pirun, Kamik Pongsiri and Jakkapan Silapapipat - to take the match.

Hi-Tech's Sophon was top scorer with 13 points, while Chaiwat Muandaeng had 12 points for the Air Force.

Hi-Tech, who finished the first-round matches at the top of Group A, will clash with Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) in the semi-finals.

In the women's division, last year's runners-up, Rattanabundit, came back from a shaky start to overpower Banpong 86-53 in Group B.

Chalisa Chamnanwaree poured in 32 for Rattanabundit, while Banpong's Paradee Khampromrat scored 17 points.

Rattanabundit advanced to face Hi-Tech in the semi-finals with an unbeaten record of five wins.

Charothai Suksomwong and Jutamas Chanthakan powered the 14-time champions Bangkok Bank A past Kasembundit 76-38 in another first-round clash in Group A.