Government Division reigning champions Ministry of Finance (MOF) Omsangel and Surangel Kings opened their campaign on a high note as they bested separate rivals which signaled the start of the 2013 season of the Rudimch Enterprise Government/Business League at the Palau National gym.

MOF Omsangel shook some of the rust from their shooting hands as they managed to subdue a tough Ministry of Justice (MOJ) Cops, 85-81 during the opening night held Monday. Tutii Benjamin carried the scoring load for MOF Omsangel with 25 points as Sunshine Soalablai added 14 while Elinton tallied 21 for the MOJ Cops as teammate Jason Brell chipped in 18.

On the other hand, Surangel Kings showed their supremacy as they tamed the Palau Pacific Resort (PPR) Stingrays, 90-74 Wednesday night. After closing the first half with a 53-35 lead, Surangel Kings held on to their lead as they made sure that PPR Stingrays could not stage a comeback.

Vitores tallied 37 points for Surangel Kings while Arnold Undecimo clipped 20 markers as Gelson Talavera and Anthony Brusula led the scoring chores for PPR Stingrays with identical 17 points, respectively.

In other games, PPR Shark Attack won over Galaxy Builders, 98-76; Sam’s Sharks beat Mason’s Hardware, 86-70; WCTC bested PRR Dragons, 83-77; Neco defeated Fish N’ Fins, 99-61; PNCC won over MOE Spiders, 20-0; and Team ABC drubbed Koror State Government (KSG) Royals, 100-87.

Games will resume tonight with RTMRI Crushers versus PPR Shark Attack at 6 p.m. while Hanpa Cardinals will face MOF Omsangel in the main game at 7:30 p.m.

Monday night matches will feature Team ABC against PPUC Electric Eel at 7:30 p.m. while Sam’s Sharks will take on RTRMI Crushers in the main game at 9 p.m.

Seeing action in the Government Division are MOF Omsangel (sponsored by Ministry of Finance); Team ABC (sponsored by PVA/PNOC/PCC/FIC); PNCC Molekoi (sponsored by PNCC); MOJ Cops (sponsored by Ministry of Finance); MOE Spiders (sponsored by Ministry of Education); Presidents X Men (sponsored by Office of the President); KSG Royals (sponsored by Koror State Government); PPUC Electric Eel (sponsored by PPUC/PWSC); MOH Band Aid (sponsored by Ministry of Health); Rudimch Enterprise Crew (sponsored by Rudimch Enterprise) and Hanpa Cardinals (sponsored by Hanpa Investment Development Corp.).

In the Business Division it will have RTMI Crushers (sponsored by RT Management and Realty Inc.); Neco (sponsored by Neco Marine Corp); PPR Stingray (sponsored by Palau Pacific Resort); Fish N’ Fins (sponsored by Fish n’ Fins); Sam’s Sharks (sponsored by Palau Sea Ventures Inc. DBA Sams Tours); Mason’s Hardware (sponsored by Mason’s Hardware); PPR Shark Attack (sponsored by Palau Pacific Resort); PRR Dragons (sponsored by Palau Royal Resort); Surangel Kings (sponsored by Surangel and Sons Co); WCTC (sponsored by Johnpayne Rodas) and Galaxy Builders (sponsored by Ploycarp International Enterprise).

The tournament, which is supervised by the Palau Basketball Federation (PBF), is a tobacco, alcohol and drug free program. Any violators will be banned from participating. For more information call Topps at 488-4491.  By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)