Gentle giant Philip Maniago drilled his crucial free throws down the wire to escape with a 74-72 win over the Mam’l Divers Rangers. The game was tied at 72-all when Maniago was fouled and sent to the line and made the shots to put the game their way.

 Maniago also finished the game with 17 points complimenting Jun Bautista’s 24 point performance as they now take a 2-0 win-loss record while Nico Hinoza paced the Rangers with 17 on a losing cause and sport a 1-1 card in the team standings

 On the other hand, rookie Kester Concha showed might in the dying minutes of the game as he lifted the Jaguar past a tough Spoilers, 85-79.

 The Jaguar got the scare of their lives when they saw the Spoilers come back and tied the game at 73-all with less than three minutes left in the game. But the troika of Concha, Erwin Gonzalgo and Eric Dedeles lifted the Jaguar as they battled for the rebound and loose ball possession that gave them the win.

 Concha topscored for the Jaguar, with 14 baskets while Gonzalgo added 9 as they also take a 2-0 tally, while RB Dorado and Aries Echanova led the Spoilers with identical 23 baskets as they took take their second loss for a 0-2 count.

 In other games, Western Union defeated Aloha Maid Choppers, sponsored by Shimbros Inc, 79-68 and Hanpa Cardinals bested PNQ Rams, 75-64.

 Games will resume on April 3 with PNQ Rams versus Aloha Maid Choppers in the curtain raiser at 11.00am followed by the Hanpa Cardinals – Guardians tussle at 12.30pm. The Slashers will face the Ilocandia Bulls at 2.00pm while the Spoilers will meet Mam’l Divers Rangers in the main game at 3.30pm.

This year’s FBL is sponsored by Aqua Drinking Water, ATT Bar and Restaurant, Blue Bay Petroleum Inc., Budget Mart 1, CTSI Logistics/Western Union, Engr. Bobby Pineda, Galaxy Dexigner, Galaxy Builders, Kabayan Restaurant, MJ Trading and General Merchandise, Palasia Hotel, Palau Royal Resort, Palau Shipping Co., PITI, Sea Passion Hotel, Shimbros Inc., The Print Zone, The Taj Restaurant, VMJ Construction, and WCTC. The FBL is under supervision of the Palau Basketball Federation.