Teams Palau Community College (PCC) Mesekiu and Stingers did not seem to mind a week’s rest as they were able to beat their respective opponents in the ongoing elimination round of the IP&E Amateur Basketball League at the Palau National gym.

PCC Mesekiu used its speed to beat the Airwaves, 81-67 Wednesday night. After takinga 16-15 lead at the end of the first quarter, PCC Mesekiu used its trap defense and speed to dismantle the Airwaves offensive set up and out run them with a 21-13 output to close the first half with a 37-28 advantage.

From there, PCC Mesekiu went all the way as they secured another win with Christopher Filimew and Percy Retogral leading the scoring chores with identical 12 markers while Gino Smau tallied 22 markers for the Airwaves on the losing end.

On the other hand, team Stingers managed to staged a come from behind victory at the expense of Rivals, 78-77. Down 77-75 in the dying second of the final canto, Douglas Schmidt managed to run the ball down to their court and found an open Ziske Asanuma who in turn passed the ball to a wide open Asailee Yamada in the three point arch.

As Yamada gun for a triple, he was the fouled by a Rivals defender that send him to the free throw line with just .7 seconds left in the clock. Yamada drilled all three free throws to give them the win.

Despite finishing 7 points, Yamada’s efforts earned them another win. Schmidt paced the Stingers with his 37 markers while King Ngiraboi tallied 21 for the Rivals on the losing cause.

In other games, WCC Hammers drubbed Blue Shark, 148-62; Ksau Imaging Solutions beat Papago Smooth, 76-72; Mercury Optimax beat Aimeliik Rainers, 63-58; Meda won over Melekeok Salty Boys, 78-54; Ididers escaped with a 54-52 win over Bullets; Airwaves bested Breakers, 63-58; and Mesang Red Storm defeated PCC Mesekiu, 73-69.

Games resume tonight with Rivals versus Peches at 6 p.m. followed by the Bullets-Melekeok Salty Boys tussle at 7:30 p.m. Monday night games will have Aimeliik Rainers against Matakui at 6 p.m. as Blue Shark will face Meda at 7:30 p.m. while Papago Smooth will meet WCC Hammers in the main game at 9 p.m.

The tournament is a tobacco, alcohol and drug free program and all violators will be banned from participating. For more information call Topps Sungino at 488-4491. By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)