with their backs against the wall, NBL champions Peched Raw showed patience as they went on to beat arch rivals, FR Spoilers, 57-55 to win the 2013 National Basketball League (NBL) Super League, Tuesday night at the Palau National gym.

It was a low scoring ball game considering both teams can run and gun. But players from both squad seemed to miss their target as the first quarter favored Peched Raw via 11-9 and then went on to take the first half with a slim 27-26 advantage.

The game was intense going into the final canto with the score tied at 53 all with less than a minute to play. Robert Saunders then scored on a give and go lay up as he sends FR Spoilers in the driver seat at 55-53 with 45 seconds left in the game. Then Sunshine Soalablai of Peched Raw took matters on to his hand as he scored on a lean in jumper with 30 seconds in the clock to tie the game at 55-all.

FR Spoilers could have taken the lead in their next possession but made a costly turnover that gave the ball to Peched Raw. It was a battle for ball possession after Peched Raw’s Douglas Schmidt missed on a three point shot but things got physical as Spoilers’ Lester Mendoza was called for holding on to Peched Raw’s Traxx Mark with 12 ticks in the clock.

Mendoza was called for an unsportsmanlike foul, but Traxx Mark missed the tow free throws. Getting the ball possession because of the call, Peched Raw wasted no time as they set up their offense and saw Traxx Mark open who went for the kill.

With barely 6 seconds left in the game and down by two points at 57-55, the Spoilers made their desperation move, but could not score as time expired giving the win to Peched Raw.

Soalablai topscored for Peched Raw with 12 markers as teammates Perry Oiterong, Schmidt and Traxx Mark all had identical 10 points, respectively. On the other hand, Saunders led FR Spoilers with 13 as their topscorers Mark Pagayanan and Aries Echanova were limited to 8 baskets apiece.

In the consolation game, the Nationals escaped an 82-80 win over the NBL Selection with RB Dorado leading the way for the Nationals with 24 as teammates Marvic Ngchar and Arnold Undecimo finished the game with 23 and 21 in that order.

The tournament, supervised by the Palau Basketball Federation (PBF), is a tobacco, alcohol and drug free program. For more information call Topps at 488-4491. By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)