Teams Mesang Red Storm and Dngeronger Bullets started the year right as they bested separate opponents in the resumption of the elimination round of the IP&E Amateur Basketball League, Wednesday night at the Palau National gym.

After a slow start, Mesang Red Storm bounced back to score a come from behind victory over a tough Airwaves, 56-53. The Red Storm lagged behind as they trailed the Airwaves, 18-14 in the first quarter and also at the end of the first half with the score at 28-24.

Mesang Red Storm managed to re-group as they spurted a 17-11 run in the third as they edged the Airwaves, 41-39. From there Mesang Red Storm held on as they romped away with the win with Tats leading their cause with 22 while Gino Smau topscored for the Airwaves with 20 on the losing end.

On the other hand, Dngeronger Bullets flanked Mercury Optimax, 77-47 as Oilouch and Bisa Demei finished the game with 26 and 24 markers, respectively while Dewey Rengechel fired 15 for Mercury Optimax.

In other games, Blue Shark won over Melekeok Salty Boys, 79-56; Aimeliik Rainers defeated Ididers, 67-63; Stingers routed the Cardinals, 86-70; PCC Mesekiu outscored National 17 and Under, 85-80; Rivals bested Melngoes, 84-61; Meda drubbed Mercury Optimax, 73-33; Melwert downed Bullets, 72-56; and WCC Hammers pounded Matakui, 116-44.

Games resume tonight with Meda versus Matakui at 6 p.m. while Peches will face the Cardinals in the main game at 7:30 p.m.

Monday night matches will feature Ididers against Ksau Imaging Solutions at 6 p.m. followed by the Melwert-Blue Sharks match at 7:30 p.m. while WCC Hammers will face the Aimeliik Rainers in the main game at 9 p.m.

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)