A new era is on the horizon as team Spoilers foiled Western Union, 100-93 Sunday in the ongoing 2011 Filipino Basketball League (FBL) at the Palau National gym.

The Spoilers meant business as they established an early lead in the opening quarter with a 36-21 lead and then went on to blow out the game wide open after taking their biggest lead at 64-37 in the first half.

Things were suppose to go the Spoilers way, but Western Union showed a heart of a champion as they slowly dismantled the lead barrier that separate them. Bong Alambra displayed a tough defense as he blanked the Spoilers who tried to take it easy going into the shaded lane.

With Alambra and the rest of Western Union going on defensive mode, they were able to trim down the Spoilers lead, 79-65 going into the last canto. But their fuel was not enough as Alambra was called for his fifth foul and left the game with barely 1:03 left in the game.

The Spoilers then held on as they nailed the win to sport a 14-3 win-loss record. Michael Bombita, who also fouled out of the game, managed to tally 34 points while teammate Leonilo Gonzales backed him up with 24.

On the other hand, Emerson Patenia came to Western Union’s aide as he topscored with 25 while Erwin Senadre had 22 as they are now 15-3 in the team standings.

In other games, Surangel and Sons beat the Jaguars, 75-63, Ilocandia Bulls drubbed PNQ Rams, 97-81; and Mam’l Divers Rangers won over Hanpa Cardinals, 84-66.

Games will resume on October 30 with Spoilers versus Guardians at 11 a.m. followed by the Aloha Maid Choppers-Surangel and Sons tussle at 12:30 p.m. as the Ilocandia Bulls meet the Jaguars at 2 p.m. while Western Union takes on Hanpa Cardinals in the main game at 3:30 p.m.

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 the supervision of the Palau Basketball Federation.   By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)