Teams Bullets and Rivals paced their way to beat their separate opponents Friday night in the ongoing elimination round of the IP&E Amateur Basketball League at the Palau National gym.

The Bullets showed steady performance as they held on to beat the Melekeok Salty Boys, 45-41. After taking a 12-10 lead at the end of the first quarter, both teams struggled on both ends of the floor as their out put was below double digits with the Melekeok Salty Boys getting the upper hand at 8-9 to close the gap at the half at 20-19.

But the Bullets hanged on as they made their assault in the final canto outscoring Melekeok Salty Boys with a 19-14 run to nail the win with Anthony Iskawa leading the scoring chores with 19 as teammate Bisa Demei chipped in 11 while Kumangai Maech dropped 17 to lead all scorers for Melekeok Salty Boys on the losing end.

On the other hand, the Rivals showed their offensive prowess as they pounded Peches, 89-43. The Rivals were on fire in the first half as they completely out ran Peches to establish a commanding 53-12 lead.

From their, the Rivals took it smoothly as they held their ground to win the game with King Ngiraboi finishing the game with 31 points while Morris Wakakoro and Airwolf Filibert led the scoring chores for Peches with 10 and 8 markers, respectively.

In other games, Breakers halt Stingers, 75-67; Mesang Red Storm won over the Cardinals, 78-65; and Mercury Optimax defeated Melwert, 57-56.

Team representatives, managers and coaches are advised that there will be a meeting on Thursday, December 20, at 11:30 a.m. at the Palau National Gym. Attendance is a must.

Games resume tonight with Melngoes versus Ranchers at 6 p.m. followed by the Airwaves-Cardinals tussle at 7:30 p.m. while Stingers will test PCC Mesekiu at 9 p.m. Tomorrow night’s matches will feature Breakers against the National 17 and Under at 6 p.m. as WCC Hammers take on Mercury Optimax at 7:30 p.m. while Matakui will face Ksau Imaging Solutions at 9 p.m.

Thursday night games will have Melwert taking on Meda at 6 p.m. followed by the Blue Shark-Bullets face off at 7:30 p.m. while Ididers will meet Melekeok Salty Boys in the night cap 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)