Defending champion FR Spoilers and Western Union got off to a right start after beating separate rivals, Sunday to signal the start of the 2012 season of the Filipino Basketball League at the Palau National gym.

After getting a scare in the last two minutes of play in the fourth quarter, FR Spoilers managed to tame the Ilocandia Bulls, 106-99 to start their title retention campaign with a win.

Leading all the way, the Spoilers wanted to put the game away earlier but the Bulls remained fighting as they were able to be within striking distance and cut the lead at 85-82 with less than two minutes.

But the Spoilers showed the scoring prowess as the team of Michael Bombita, Leonilo Gonzales and Aries Echanova lead a 9-0 spurt to within the gap anew at 94-82. From there, the Spoilers went all the way to win the game. Gonzales paced the Spoilers with 32 points while Bombita and Echanova added 27 and 19, respectively. Raul Osias topscored for the Ilocandia Bulls with 34 on the losing end.

On the other hand, Western Union halted a tough MJ International Rangers, 71-65 to also mark their bid for top honors in the league. Erwin Senadre and rookie Nino Cajegas led the scoring fray for Western Union with identical 17 markers, respectively while Jay Naguit led the Rangers with 14 baskets.
 
The opening ceremonies of the league were a festive style as the No Name Band rendered the background for the team parade. Joining the FR Spoilers, Ilocandia Bulls, Western Union and MJ International Rangers for this year’s FBL season are Surangel and Sons, Choppers, Hanpa Cardinals, Jaguars and Rams.

For the Master’s League, seeing action this year are defending champion Ocean View, D’ Originals, FR Spoilers and 9-Ball.

Hanpa Cardinals won the best in uniform in the FBL category while FR Spoilers took the best in uniform in the Master’s League. Surangel and Sons took the best in Muse in the FBL category while Ocean View too the best in muse in the Master’s League.

Intermission numbers were rendered by ATT Girls, Imperial Girls and Happy Hour Girls. The FBL is under the supervision of the Palau Basketball Federation.

This year’s FBL sponsors are ATT Karaoke Disco Bar, Aqua Pure Water, Blue Bay Petroleum, Budget Mart 1 and 2, CTSI Logistics, FR Construction, GF Automotive, Hanpa Industries, HBO Company, Kabayan Restaurant, Kramers, MJ Trading, Ngeremlengui Quarry, Ocean View/ABA, Palau Curtain, PDC, Pinoy Express Remittance, Pinoy Restaurant, PNQ, Roll’EM Productions/OTV, Sams Tours, Sea View KTV, Shimbros Inc., Socio-Micronesia, Surangel and Sons, The Taj, VMJ Construction, WCTC, Engr. Bobby Pineda, Jun dela Cruz, Koki Beech, Terry Li Hong, Engr. Ogi Pineda, Engr. Ben Asuncion and TFCP executive and board officers.  By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)