Team FR Spoilers showed their defensive skills in the crucial minutes of the game to fend off a tough 4x4 Wheelers, 87-77 Friday night to win the 2012 IP&E Amateur Basketball League (ABL) at the Palau National gym.
 
Taking a 79-76 lead with 3:09 remaining in the fourth quarter, FR Spoilers troika of Michael Bombita, Mark Pagayanan and Aries Echanova gave them a manageable lead after hitting their free throws and a jump shot to take an 84-76 lead in the 1:53 mark.

FR Spoilers then dominated the boards as they took control of three offensive rebounds with Leonilo Gonzales showing his skills with back to back steals from the 4x4 Wheelers ball handler that sealed the game.

Bombita then placed the icing on the cake as he converted on his free throws in the dying seconds of the game as they closed down the championship series with a 2-1 count. Bombita, who was named finals MVP finished the game with 20 points backing Gonzales’ 22 performance.

On the other hand, team 4x4 Wheelers managed to give FR Spoilers a run for the title as they took over the driver seat briefly in the fourth canto after a fast break by Temol Malsol to place the game at 67-66 with 7:40 left. But their run was not enough as the Spoilers showed their defensive prowess that earned them the title.

Malsol paced 4x4 Wheelers with 21 markers while teammate Sunshine Soalablai added 17 as they settled for first place honors.

Winners were awarded with specially crafted trophies immediately after the game. Douglas Schmidt was also named as season MVP.

The organizing committee extends their thanks to all the participating teams and their sponsors namely Mesang Red Storm (sponsored by KSYC/Sarah’s Yum Yum); Ranchers (sponsored by Shallum Etpison); Rivals (sponsored by KSYC); Surangel Kings (sponsored by Surangel and Sons Company); Airwaves (sponsored by Sarah’s Yum Yum); PCC Mesekiu (sponsored by Palau Community College); Kabong (sponsored by Rudimch Enterprise); Ididers (sponsored by KSYC/Sonia Enterprise/Senator Tommy Remengesau Jr.); PPR Shark Attack (sponsored by Palau Pacific Resort); Stingers (sponsored by Neco Marine); Cardinals (sponsored by Hanpa Company); Idid 4x4 Wheelers (sponsored by KSYC/Sonia Enterprise/Sen. Regis Akitaya/Sen. Tommy Remengesau Jr.); Breakers (sponsored by Sen. Tommy Remengesau Jr.); Ikelauans (sponsored by KSYC/G&C Services); Aqua Smooth (sponsored by Aqua Pure Water Inc.); On Fire (sponsored by Sea View); B.O.G. (sponsored by Bank of Guam/Little Italy); Spoilers (sponsored by FR Construction); Ngerkesoaol (sponsored byy KSYC/Dr. Kuartei); National U16 (sponsored by IP&E Palau); and Dngeronger (sponsored by KSYC/Yano’s Market).

The tournament, which is sponsored by IP&E Palau, is a tobacco, alcohol and drug free program and supervised by the Palau Basketball Federation.  By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)