Teams Matakui and Lawmen PEAC improved their respective records after beating separate rivals, Wednesday night in the ongoing IP&E Amateur Basketball League (ABL) at the Palau National gym.

Matakui scored a convincing 83-77 win over Ikelauans via come from behind. Down 20-22 after the opening tip off, Matakui outscored the Ikelauans with a 20-16 output to grab the lead at the end of the half, 40-38.

Matakui then went for the kill as they again showed dominance in the third canto with a 29-13 scoring fray as they stretched their lead at 69-51.From there Matakui went all the way to score the win with Dennis Castro finishing with 26 points as teammates Al Obrero and Bow chipped in 15 and 13, respectively.

Meanwhile, Wade Redechor topscored for the Ikelauans with 35 as Melvin Parrinas added 14 on the losing end.

On the other hand, Lawmen PEAC escaped a 70-66 victory over the Idid 4x4 Wheelers. The Lawmen controlled the tempo of the game as they closed the first half with a 45-25 advantage and from their stood their ground to close the game with Sabino Kyota leading the way with 19 markers while Marlon Behcab added 16. Medermel Yaoch topscored for Idid 4x4 Wheelers with 24 points while teammate Gino Smau chipped in 13 on the losing end.

In other games, the Ranchers bested Ngaraard Red Torch, 93-73; Surangel Kings won over Ngerkesaol Styx, 84-74; Ngermid Rivals defeated Meyuns Red Storm, 101-70; Breakers turned back the Stingers, 88-60; Raw Surf outclassed PCC Mesekiu, 81-73; Papago Smooth breezed through Ididers, 76-68; and Lawmen PEAC downed Ikelauans, 84-78.

Games resume tonight with Ididers versus Ngerkesoal Styx at 6 p.m. while Ngiwal 79ers will meet the Breakers in the main game at 7:30 p.m.

Monday night matches will feature the Ranchers against Meyuns Red Storm at 6 p.m. as Raw Surf will face Lawmen PEAC at 7:30 p.m. while Surangel Kings will meet the Hanpa Cardinals at 9 p.m.

Teams this season, teams are divided into two pools. Pool A will have Papago Smooth, Ngarchelong Blue Shark, Ngaraard Red Torch, Hanpa Cardinals, Surangel Kings, Meyuns Red Storm, Melngoes, Ranchers, Ididers and Ngermid Rivals. Pool B will be composed of MEDA Boys, Matakui, Idid 4x4 Wheelers, Ikelauans, Stingers, Lawmen PEAC, Raw Surf, Breakers, Airwaves and PCC Mesekiu.

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