Team Choppers has evolved into a tough contender as they scored another upset this time beating the MJ Rangers, 84-83 in over time, Sunday in the 2012 season of the Filipino Basketball League at the Palau National gym.

Down 44-34 at the close of the first half, team Choppers found their form as they spurted a 25-9 rally to gain the upper hand at 59-53. Then both teams committed crucial errors in the fourth canto with the result of the tie at 76-all when Bon-Bon Pramo sank three free throws after he was fouled by Mac-Mac Fernandez at the rainbow arc.

In the extension period, the Choppers kept its composure until the final buzzer to get the win with Pramo leading the scoring chores with 24 points as Jelson Talavera, PJ Esguerra and Erwin Gonzalgo chipped in 17, 15 and 14 baskets, respectively.

With the win, team Choppers climbs to tie with Western Union in the team standings with identical 4-1 win-loss record while the Rangers suffered its third setback for a 1-3 tally despite the 23 point performance from Joemar Naguit.

In other games, Surangel and Sons won over Jaguars, 88-73 while FR Spoilers drubbed Rams/Guardians, 80-47.

On the other hand, D’Originals scored its fourth straight victory at the expense of Ocean View/PCGM, 92-83. Jojo Marino showed steady hands as he topscored for the D’Originals with 18 markers as they hold on to the lead in the team standings with a clean 4-0 slated while Jojo Arevalo had 24 for a 2-2 record.

Games resume on April 29 with FR Spoilers versus Jaguars at 11 a.m. followed by the FR Spoilers against 9-Ball Friendsters tussle in the Master’s League at 12:30 p.m. as Rams/PCGM will meet MJ Rangers at 2 p.m. while Western Union takes on Hanpa Cardinals in the main game at 3:30 p.m.

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)