Teams Airwaves and Melekeok Salty Boys showed consistency as they went on to sweep their respective best of three series, Friday night in the ongoing play off round of the IP&E Amateur Basketball League playoff round at the Palau National gym.

The Airwaves showed their defensive prowess as they managed to edge the Aimeliik Rainers, 76-52 to close their series with a 2-0 count. After taking a 20-9 lead at the end of the first canto, the Airwaves went on with consistency to outscore the Rainers and went on to score the win.

Gino Smau led the scoring clutches for the Airwaves with 20 points as teammate Jayvan Emesiochel added 12 while Marlon Bechab paced the Rainers with 16 markers on the losing end.

On the other hand, Melekeok Salty Boys closed their own series after beating the Cardinals, 73-64. Stanford Blaluk and Harden Hasinto led the scoring fray for the Salty Boys with 16 and 13 baskets while Mark Naguit topscored for the Cardinals with 19 on the losing side.

In other games, Ranchers won over Mercury Optimax, 73-57; Breakers slowed down Papago Smooth, 70-65; and Nationals 17 and Under routed Ididers, 84-49.

Games resume tonight with Mercury Optimax versus Melekeok Salty Boys at 6 p.m. followed by the Ranchers-Cardinals tussle at 7:30 p.m. as Aimeliik Rainers will face Matakui at 9 p.m.

Wednesday games will feature the Airwaves against Melwert at 6 p.m. as Ididers will meet the Bullets at 7:30 p.m. while WCC Hammers will face the winner of the Mercury Optimax-Melekeok Salty Boys match 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)