Defending champion Western Union and the Ilocandia Bulls improved their slots going into the quarterfinals after beating respective foes Sunday in the 2011 Filipino Basketball League (FBL) at the Palau National gym.

Despite losing the services of wingman Jeff Cruz, Western Union mainstays Erwin Senadre and Emerson Patenia came to the aide as they managed to beat the Guardians, 94-77.

Senadre tallied 29 points while Patenia added 28 as they defending champions remain on top of the team standings with a 17-3 win-loss record as Marlon dela Cruz and Raymond Amarillo finished with identical 19 baskets, respectively as they are now 10-9.

On the other hand, the Ilocandia Bulls are in a better position going into the next round as they fend off a tough Aloha Maid Choppers, 94-75. Pesky guard Dennis Castro carried the scoring load for the Bulls with 38 points as they move up to 11-9 while Mark Lofranco and Ronald Reyes had 19 and 15 for the Choppers who are now 8-11.

In other games, team Spoilers won over Hanpa Cardinals, 106-89 while the Slashers defeated PNQ Rams, 93-78.

Games resume on November 13 with the last day for the elimination round. It will feature the Guardians versus Mam’l Divers Rangers at 11 a.m. followed by the Spoilers-PNQ Rams match at 12:30 p.m. as Aloha Maid Choppers will meet the Jaguars at 2 p.m. while Surangel and Sons will face Hanpa Cardinals in the main game at 3:30 p.m.

This year’s FBL is sponsored by Aqua Drinking Water, ATT Bar and Restaurant, Blue Bay Petroleum Inc., Budget Mart 1, CTSI Logistics/Western Union, Engr. Bobby Pineda, Galaxy Dexigner, Galaxy Builders, Kabayan Restaurant, MJ Trading and General Merchandise, Palasia Hotel, Palau Royal Resort, Palau Shipping Co., PITI, Sea Passion Hotel, Shimbros Inc., The Print Zone, The Taj Restaurant, VMJ Construction and WCTC. The FBL is under the supervision of the Palau Basketball Federation.   By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)