Team Breakers advanced to the next round while Ngermid Rivals managed to stretch their series after beating separate opponents in the ongoing playoff round of the 2012 season of the IP&E Amateur Basketball League (ABL) at the Palau National gym.

After establishing a strong finish in the first half of play, team Breakers stood their ground as they defeated the Stingers, 92-81 to move on to the next round of the playoffs. The Breakers went off to a strong start as they pulled a 42-38 lead at the end of the first half and then held on all the way to win the game.

Joey Sumor led the scoring chores for the Breakers with 38 points while Wallace Rikrik and Douglas Schmidt tallied 29 and 21 markers for the Stingers but was not enough to get them the win.

With the win the Breakers closed their playoff series with a 2-0 count and take a spot into the next round of play.

On the other hand, Ngermid Rivals gets to fight another day after besting the Nationals, 91-87. King Ngiraboi fired up the Rivals offensive line up as he finished the game with 35 poinst and was backed by Michael Spis Gordon with 17. With the win, the Rivals levels their series with a 1-all count despite the good finish from Marvic Ngchar and Edward Baysa who scored 23 and 21 baskets, respectively.

In other games, PCC Mesekiu won over the Airwaves, 68-57; 4x4 Wheelers defeated Mesang Red Storm, 78-76; Spoilers bested Aqua Smooth, 76-71; and On Fire downed the Cardinals, 70-56.

Games resume tonight with Ikelauans versus B.O.G. at 6 p.m. followed by the Airwaves-PCC Mesekiu tussle at 7:30 p.m. while the Cardinals will face On Fire in the main game at 9 p.m.

The playoffs will be a best of three games format with the winners advancing to the next round. The tournament is a tobacco, alcohol and drug free program. All violators will be banned from participating. For more information call Topps at 488-4491.  By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)