Teams Breakers, Stingers and Rivals overcame their respective opponents that marked the start of the 2012-2013 season of the IP&E Amateur Basketball League at the Palau National gym.

In the opener, team Breakers ride high with their fourth quarter assault as they fended off Melngoes, 77-64. The Breakers broke wide the game with their 23-13 outpour in the final canto that had them win the game behind the 21 point production of Ryu while Vitores added 14.

On the other hand, Perry Oiterong finished the game with 28 markers as teammate Raul Osias added 22 but failed to fuel a Melngoes comeback as they absorbed their first lost for the league.

In other games, Douglas Schmidt tallied 35 baskets to lead team Stingers past the Airwaves, 81-70 while Ody and Taru tallied 15 and 14 markers to carry the Rivals over PCC Mesekiu, 78-71.

Games will resume tonight with Meda versus Aimeliik at 6 p.m. while Matakui will face Melkeok at 7:30 p.m. November 19 games will have Ididers against Papago Smooth at 6 p.m. followed by the Optimax-Blue Shark tussle at 7:30 p.m. while Bullets will face Aimeliik in the main game at 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Palau Basketball Federation together with the Palau Basketball Referees Association congratulated PBF President and IP&E Area Manager Frank Kyota and Breakers’ player Yutaka Gibbons Jr. for being elected as new members to the House of Delegates.

Kyota was elected as Delegate in the State of Airai while Gibbons was elected as Delegate in the State of Sonsorol. Kyota and Gibbons were congratulated during the opening ceremonies before the start of the games in the league that will feature a total of 23 teams.

The tournament is a tobacco, alcohol and drug free program and all violators will be banned from participating. For more information call Topps Sungino at 488-4491.  By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)