Contender Ministry of Finance (MOF) Omsangel and Mason’s Hardware took an early advantage as they defeated respective rivals in Game One of their best-of-three championship series in the 2011 season of the Rudimch Enterprise Government/Business League at the Palau National gym.

After building a 60-34 lead at the end of the first half, MOF Omsangel managed to hold on to beat MPIIC, 96-84 and take a 1-0 lead in their series in the Government division. John Stills led the scoring fray for MOF Omsangel with 21 while teammates Weston and Jovanny Siliang added 20 and 18 markers, respectively.

Mekeruul Ueki topscored for MPIIC with 23 while Russel Roman chipped in 15 on the losing end.

On the other hand, Mason’s Hardware came up with guns blazing as they routed Neco, 73-66 to take Game One in the Business division. Mesikt Benjamin led all scorers for Mason’s Hardware with 21 while teammate Reid Una Rikrik added 15 as Nico Hinoza had 20 for Neco.

Game Two of the championship game for both Government and Business divisions are playing as of presstime and Game Three (If Necessary) will be played tonight with Mason’s Hardware against Neco at 6 p.m. while MOF Omsangel will face MPIIC at 7:30 p.m.

Coaches and team representatives are advised that there will be a meeting today at 11:30 a.m. at the Palau National gym to discuss the schedule for the Season Finals.

In the consolation games, Gino Smau and Merei Ise tallied 22 and 21 baskets, respectively as they powered Koror State Government against PNOC/PBRA Mercury Optimax, 89-81 in the Government division while Michael Bombita and Aries Echanova scored 31 and 32 markers as the Spoilers drubbed SDA Crusaders, 113-76.

The league is a tobacco, alcohol and drug free program and all violators will be banned form participating.  By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)