Last year’s runner up RP Rangers got their revenge as they beat defending champion FR Spoilers, 88-87 Sunday at the start of the 2013 season of the Filipino Basketball League at the Palau National gym.

Down 86-87 with barely 11 seconds left in the game, RP Rangers’ Nico Hinoza drove past his defender and managed to spot a cutting Joemar Naguit who scored on a lay up to get back the lead at 88-87 with 8 ticks left at the game clock.

With the backs against the wall and with no more time out, FR Spoilers tried to go for the win as Lester Mendoza drove hard to the basket and was fouled by Sonny Jacinto of the Rangers with 1.3 seconds remaining.

Mendoza, who did not get much rest at the bench, missed his free throws that could have given them the win. Rangers’ Emerson Patenia grabbed the rebound and put the lights out for the Spoilers to take the win.

Jay Naguit topscored for the Rangers with 24 points as Hinoza chipped in 22 while Michael Bombita paced the Spoilers with 28 as Mendoza finished the game with 24 on the losing end.

In the first game Hanpa Cardinals gave a rude welcome as they drubbed newcomer Liquid Sky, 76-45 with Mac Naguit leading the way with 18 markers.

In the side events during the opening ceremony, the Jaguars won the best in Muse while Hanpa Cardinals won the best in Uniform.
 
A total of 10 teams are set to see action this year namely defending champion FR Spoilers, Rangers, Surangel and Sons, Ilocandia Bulls, PRA Choppers, Hanpa Cardinals, Rams, Western Union, Jaguars and newcomer Liquid Sky with Nationals 19 and under squad as guest team.

Games set on March 17 are Ilocandia Bulls versus Rams in the opener at 11 a.m. followed by the Nationals against PRA Choppers at 12:30 p.m. as Surangel Stars will face the Jaguars at 2 p.m. while FR Spoilers will meet Liquid Sky in the main game at 3:30 p.m.

Games are supervised by the Palau Basketball Federation (PBF). This year’s FBL League is supported by ATT Bar and Restaurant, HE Automotive, Palasia Hotel, Palau Royal Resort, FR Construction, Engrs. Jun dela Cruz, Bobby Pineda, and Benjamin Asuncion, Budget Mart II, Kabayan Restaurant and Aqua Water. By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)