Teams Jaguars and PRA Choppers improved their standings after beating separate rivals, Sunday in the ongoing 2013 season of the Filipino Basketball League at the Palau National gym.

Team Jaguars barged into the winning column after fending off a tough Hanpa Cardinals, 62-53. After taking a 46-43 lead going into the final quarter, the Jaguars held off the Cardinals, who tried to make a comeback. The Jaguars outscored the Cardinals in the final canto with a 16-10 output as they stood ground to take the win.

Roy Atacador paced the Jaguars with 15 as teammate Ernie Bautista chipped in 10 as they now take a 1-2 win-loss record while Raymund Tam topscored for the Cardinals with 14 as they suffered their second loss to also sport a 1-2.

On the other hand, after getting a scare in the closing minutes of the final quarter, the PRA Choppers managed to weather the storm as they fend off PNQ Rams, 78-75. Despite being over ran in the fourth with a 21-18 run, the Choppers managed to re-grouped themselves and hold off the Rams to score the win.

Bon-Bon Pramo finished the game with 31 points as Erwin Gonzalgo tallied 27 as the Choppers now take a 2-2 card in the team standings while Boy Dato topscored for the Rams with 27 as they remain winless with a 0-3 tally.

In other games, defending champion FR Spoilers drubbed Surangel Stars, 119-64; and Jr. Nationals bested Western Union, 88-81 in overtime.

Games will resume on April 21 with PNQ Rams versus Hanpa Cardinals at 11 a.m. followed by the PRA Choppers-RP Rangers tussle at 12:30 p.m. the Jaguars will face Liquid Skyy at 2 p.m. while FR Spoilers will test Western Union in the main game at 3:30 p.m.

Games are supervised by the Palau Basketball Federation (PBF). This year’s FBL League is supported by ATT Bar and Restaurant, HE Automotive, Palasia Hotel, Palau Royal Resort, FR Construction, Engrs. Jun dela Cruz, Bobby Pineda, and Benjamin Asuncion, Budget Mart II, Kabayan Restaurant and Aqua Water.  By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)