Defending champion Western Union managed to escape a possible upset after routing a determined Hanpa Cardinals, 92-91 Sunday in the 2011 Filipino Basketball League (FBL) at the Palau National gym.

Emerson Patenia and Erwin Senadre came to the aide of Western Union as they led the scoring chores with identical 21 points, respectively while Jeff Cruz added 16 as they now sport a 16-3 win-loss record in the team standings.

High flying Raymond Tan topscored for the Cardinals with 26 markers as they officially bowed out of contention for a spot in the quarterfinals with a 3-15 tally.

In other games, the Spoilers won over a tough team Guardians, 103-99; Surangel and Sons defeated Aloha Maid Choppers, 79-78; and the Ilocandia Bulls nip the Jaguars, 78-68.

Games resume on November 6 with the Spoilers versus Hanpa Cardinals at 11 a.m. followed by the PNQ Rams-Slashers tussle at 12:30 p.m. as the Ilocandia Bulls face Aloha Maid Choppers at 2 p.m. and Western Union takes on the Guardians 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)