Teams Melngoes and Idid 4x4 Wheelers improve their chances in the playoff round after beat separate foes, Wednesday night in the ongoing IP&E Amateur Basketball League (ABL) at the Palau National gym.

Team Melngoes started strong and finished strong as they went on to beat the Ngerchelong Blue Sharks, 79-69 and closed their best of three series with a 2-1 count. Melngoes opened the game with a 26-15 lead and then continued their run as they closed down the first half with a 47-30 advantage.

From there, Melngoes maintained composure as they sailed for the win with Perry Oirterong carrying the scoring load as he normed 33 points enough to secure the win while Sunshine Soalablai topscored for the Blue Sharks with 27 on the losing end.

On the other hand, Idid 4x4 Wheelers closed down their own series at the expense of Ngiwal 79ers, 101-84.

After securing a 49-35 lead at the end of the first half, the 4x4 Wheelers displayed their scoring prowess as they manhandled Ngiwal 79ers in the third by outscoring them with a 31-16 output to establish a 80-51 advantage.

From that point, 4x4 Wheelers felt little resistance as they take the with Medermel Yaoch leading the way with his career high 41 points while Carson and Hoakin topscored for the Ngiwal 79ers with 32 and 23 on the losing end.

In other games, Hanpa Cardinals won over the Ikelauans, 105-95; Matakui beat the Lawmen PEAC, 79-76; Ididers defeated the Ikelauans, 95-62; Ngaraard Red Torch bested Meyuns Red Storm, 89-55; Idid 4x4 Wheelers outscored the Blue Sharks, 87-79; Ranchers top the Stingers, 105-82; and Surangel Kings reign over Meda Boyz, 95-85.

The tournament enters the Sweet 16 round with games resuming tonight featuring Meda Boyz versus Idid 4x4 Wheelers at 6 p.m. while PCC Mesekiu will face Hanpa Cardinals in the main game at 7:30 p.m.

Monday night matches will have Ngermid Rivals taking on the winner of the Raw Surf-Ididers match at 6 p.m. while Surangel Kings will be pitted against Melngoes at 7:30 p.m.

Teams are reminded to use their uniform in every game. The jersey/t-shirts should match with the shorts and their numbers. Teams will be charged $25 for failure to comply and will be defaulted.

Teams this season, teams are divided into two pools. Pool A will have Papago Smooth, Ngarchelong Blue Shark, Ngaraard Red Torch, Hanpa Cardinals, Surangel Kings, Meyuns Red Storm, Melngoes, Ranchers, Ididers and Ngermid Rivals. Pool B will be composed of MEDA Boys, Matakui, Idid 4x4 Wheelers, Ikelauans, Stingers, Lawmen PEAC, Raw Surf, Breakers, Airwaves and PCC Mesekiu.

The tournament, which is 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)