Rangers, Choppers score win in FBL Sunday

Team Royal Cargo Rangers and Aloha Maid Choppers barged their way into the winning column after disposing of their separate foes, Sunday in the 2014 season of the Filipino Basketball League (FBL) at the Palau National gym.

Despite taking an early lead, Royal Cargo Rangers had to sweat it out in the final quarter as they were able to contain the Liquid Skyy Dragons, 85-81. Taking a precarious 44-42 lead at the end of the first half, the Rangers saw their lead melt down as the Dragons managed to outscore them in the third canto with a 24-19 run as the latter took a 68-63 advantage.

The Rangers managed to regroup themselves in the final stretch of the game as they gas up the Dragons with a 23-19 output just enough to fuel a comeback and win the game. Nico Hinoza led the charge for the Rangers as he sizzled with 30 points as teammate Emerson Patenia tallied 14 while Noel Nuqui led the scoring fray for the Dragons with 19 baskets as Joey Tabaquero chipped in 18 on the losing end.

With the win the Rangers ties the Dragons in the team standing with identical 1-1 win-loss record.

On the other hand, after falling short in their first attempt the Aloha Maid Choppers dismantled PNQ Crushers, 97-69.

The Choppers established a 24-16 lead in the opening quarter and from there never looked back as they took the win. The Choppers, sponsored by Shimbros International, then build their biggest lead 48-32 at the end of the first half.

From there, it was a smooth sailing for the Choppers as they barge their way into the winning column with Arvin Pramo leading the way with 31 markers while gentle giant Mark Louie Lofranco added 16 as they now sport a 1-1 tally. Jojo Arevalo topscored for the Crushers with 21 as they join the Rams in the cellar with identical 0-2 cards.

In other games, Western Union drubbed PECI Spartans, 92-75 while Hanpa Cardinals breeze through past the Jaguars, 82-76.

Games will resume on December 8 with Liquid Skyy Dragons versus PNQ Crushers at 11 a.m. followed by the Aloha Maid Choppers-Rams tussle at 12:30 p.m. as FR Spoilers test Surangel Stars at 2 p.m. while the Ilocandia Bulls meet Royal Cargo Rangers in the main game at 3:30 p.m.

Sponsors for this year’s season are Aqua Pure Water, ATT Karaoke and Bar, Blue Bay Petroleum, CTSI Palau, Hanpa Industrial Development Corporation, HBO, Kumangai Bakery, Midtown Gas Station, Mingles Tototo, MJ Trading, Palasia Hotel, Palau Pacific Resort, Palau Trading, Pinoy Express Remittance, Shimbros International, Surangel and Sons, The Taj Palau, Palau Curtain, Engr. Bobby Pineda and Western Caroline Trading Company (WCTC).

The Filipino Basketball League (FBL) is under the supervision of the Palau Basketball Federation (PBF). By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)




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