Improving their standings going into the last days of the elimination round, teams Matakui and Ngaraard Red Torch bested separate foes, Wednesday night in the ongoing 2014 IP&E National Basketball League (NBL) at the Palau National gym.

Matakui hooked on a big fish as they stunned defending champion Peched Raw, 76-73. opening the game strong Matakui established a 27-14 lead in the opening frame, but they gone slow in the second as they were outran by Peched Raw 22-9 to close the first half with the score tied at 36-all.

In the third frame, it was a battle for both teams with Peched Raw getting the upper hand as they clamp down Matakui with a 19-16 run to take the lead at 55-52. But Matakui did not give up easily as they swift their way in the final canto as they outscored Peched with a 24-18 run to take the win.

Derrick Faustino topscored for Matakui with 27 points while teammate Brooks Tkel chipped in 15 markers. Gino Smau, on the other hand, led the scoring for Peched Raw with 36 but was not enough to fuel a comeback while Traxx Mark added 20 on the losing end.

Meanwhile, Ngaraard Red Torch used a fourth quarter comeback to beat the Ngerchemai Ranchers, 69-67.

Down 41-46 going into the final frame of the game, the Red Torch used their team work as they outscored the Ranchers with a 28-20 quarter score to score the win. Medermel Yaoch led the scoring for Red Torch with 29 as Lester Mendoza and Anthony Rudimch finished the game with 12 and 10 baskets, respectively.

Lipsman Timothy led the scoring for the Ranchers with 13 while teammates Shelby Etibek and Osamu Ngirch tallied identical 12 markers, in that order.

In other games, Matakui won over the Ranchers, 51-50; and Surangel King beat Breakers, 77-71.

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