Teams Melengoes and Meda secured separate victories Friday night in the ongoing 2012 season of the IP&E National Basketball League (NBL) at the Palau National gym.

After losing the night before, Melengoes bounced back as five of its players finished in double figures to beat Kabong, 70-69. Spitfire play maker Dembei Watanabei led the scoring chores for Melengoes with 17 points while teammates Kent Moore added 12, Perry Oiterong, Canseco Rehuher and Mekeruul Ueki chipped in identical 10 baskets, respectively.

The win earned Melengoes its fourth victory and sport a 4-14 win-loss record while Basil Gibbons paced Kabong with 19 baskets but was not enough to fuel a win as they suffered their 10th loss for a 7-10 tally in the team standings.

On the other hand, Meda bested Nationals 17 and Under squad, 64-61 behind the 21 point performance of Joshua Kloulubak. The win earned Meda its seventh win to sport a 7-11 card while Marvic Ngchar topscored for the Nationals with 18 as they slipped to 5-10.

In other games, 4x4 Wheelers beat Melengoes, 94-86 in overtime while Mercury Optimax won over Surangel Kings, 77-63.

Games will resume tonight with Nationals 17 and Under versus Spoilers at 6 p.m. while Aqua Smooth will meet Islanders at 9 p.m. Wednesday night matches will have Surangel Kings against 4x4 Wheelers at 7:30 p.m. while Melengoes will face Mercury Optimax in the night cap at 9 p.m.

Thursday night games will feature Meda against Aqua Smooth at 6 p.m. while Surangel Kings will take on Spoilers at 9 p.m.

The tournament, which is supervised by the Palau Basketball Federation (PBF), is a tobacco, alcohol and drug free program. Any violators will be banned from participating. For more information call Topps at 488-4491. By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)