Contenders Gilas Originals and MogMog Rats and Stars secured respective victories after beating foes, Sunday in the 2014 Filipino Master League basketball tournament at the Palau National gym.

The Gilas Originals secured their third straight win after besting the Palau Pacific Resort (PPR) All Stud, 76-60. The Originals secured the opening frame as they established a 17-9 lead, but was slowed down by in the second quarter as they were outran by the All Stud via 19-8 as they logged behind 28-25.

But the Originals regained ground in the third canto as they spurted a 26-14 run as they regained the lead at 51-42. From there, the Originals held on to win the game as they now sport a 3-0 win-loss record in the team standings.

Sonny Jacinto and Jun Bautista led the scoring chores for the Originals with identical 15 points, respectively while Ferdy Gunner and Jimmy Domingo chipped in 14 and 12 baskets, in that order.

On the other hand, Rolly Jardenazo topscored for the All Stud with 21 points as they suffered their third set back for a 0-3 card.

Meanwhile, MogMog Rats and Stars secured took their second win in three outings at the expense of Melusch Dil, 79-63. The Rats and Star showed their dominance from the opening frame till the final buzzer.

Jojo Arevalo led the scoring for the Rats and Stars with 28 points while Jun Mahor topscored for Melusch Dil with 14 on the losing end.

In other games, Mason’s Hardware won over Kabalikat, 85-59 and WCTC Red Rooster defeated Surangel and Sons, 61-47.

Games will resume on August 17 with Kabalikat versus MogMog Rats and Stars at 11 a.m. followed by the Surangel and Sons-PPR All Stud tussle at 12:30 p.m. Afternoon games will feature Melusch Dil against Mason’s Hardware at 2 p.m. while Gilas Originals will meet WCTC Red Rooster in the main game at 3:30 p.m.

The league will be under the supervision of the Palau Basketball Federation (PBF). By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)