Last season’s runner up Western Union maintained composure in the last minute as they remain unbeaten in the team standings while the Aloha Maid Choppers continue their winning streak, Sunday in the ongoing Filipino Basketball League (FBL) at the Palau National gym.

Western Union managed to remain composed as they squeezed past a tough Surangel Stars, 88-86 and gave them a clean slate in the team standings sporting a 5-0 win-loss record.

With the clock winding down in the final canto, the Stars tried to make a comeback as ace scorer Arnold Undecimo put matters into his own hands. However, Undecimo fumbled the ball in the crucial moments of the game that could have sent the game into overtime. Undecimo finished the game with 31 points as teammate Rex De Asis added 15 as they suffered their second loss for a 2-2 tally.

On the other hand, Western Union hanged on with Anon Cajegas dominating the boards. Cajegas normed 21 baskets backing the 23 point performance of Dennis Castro while teammates Al Obrero and Bong Alambra clipped 18 and 14 markers, respectively to help the cause for Western Union.

Meanwhile, the Aloha Maid Choppers, who sported their new uniform, continued their winning streak this time at the expense of the Liquid Skyy Dragons, 90-86. The Choppers, sponsored by Shimbros International, dictated the tempo of the game as they clamped down a 50-44 lead at the first half.

The Choppers would then continue to roll in the second half as they went on to score the win with Arvin Pramo leading the way with 31 baskets while JR Grapa and Mark Louie Lofranco chipped in 15 and 12 baskets, in that order.

The win gave the Aloha Maid Choppers their 5th straight win as they now take a 5-1 win-loss mark, their best start ever since joining the league back in 2008.

Jun Bautista, on the other hand, topscored for the Dragons with 33 while Dovie De Jesus chipped in 15 on the losing side as they now are 2-3 in the team standings.

In other games, the Jaguars won over PNQ Crushers, 83-77 while the Ilocandia Bulls beat the Hanpa Cardinals, 89-81.

Games will resume on January 19 with PECI Spartans versus Surangel Stars at 11 a.m. followed by the Rams-Royal Cargo Rangers tussle at 12:30 p.m. as Western Union will face the Hanpa Cardinals at 2 p.m. while FR Spoilers will meet the Ilocandia Bulls 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)