Tournament darkhorse Ilocandia Bulls and team Rams improve their respective standings after scoring huge upsets, Sunday in the Filipino Basketball League (FBL) at the Palau National gym.

The Ilocandia Bulls boost their morale as they handed Western Union it’s first lost this season beating them, 104-97. The Bulls were dead serious as they established a 31-21 lead in the opening quarter and then spurted a 33-19 run in the second to close the first half of play with a 64-40 advantage.

From there the Bulls stood their ground and went on to win the game and improve their record with a 6-3 win-loss record in the team standings. RB Dorado and Marvic Ngchar led the charge for the Bulls with 31 and 23 points while teammates Joeger Supnet, Ryan Cacho and Raul Osias chipped in 20, 13 and 10 markers respectively.

On the other hand, Western Union did not have enough fire power to handle the outside shooting of the Bulls as they suffered their first lost of the season but remains in the leader board with a 9-1 tally.

Anion Cajegas topscored for Western Union with 28 while teammates Dennis Castro, Al Obrero and Bong Alambra added 25, 18 and 17, in that order on the losing end.

Meanwhile, the Rams showed determination as they humbled the Hanpa Cardinals, 93-84. Ronald Reyes and John Lloyd Corpuz did much of the damage as they finished the game with 25 and 22 baskets as they tie Liquid Skyy Dragons with identical 4-5 cards.

Johnson Sicat and Mhomar Sismaet led the scoring chores for the Cardinals with 16 and 15 points but was not enough as they fell 3-7 in the team standings.

In other games, Aloha Maid Choppers beat the Royal Cargo Rangers, 76-68; and FR Spoilers won via default against PNQ Crushers, 20-0.

Games will resume on March 9 with Rams against the Ilocandia Bulls at 11 a.m. followed by the Jaguar-Royal Cargo Rangers tussle at 12:30 p.m. as the Aloha Maid Choppers battle the FR Spoilers at 2 p.m. while Surangel Stars will face Liquid Skyy Dragons in the main game at 3:30 p.m.

Sponsors for this year’s season are Aqua Pure Water, ATT Karaoke and Bar, Blue Bay Petroleum, CTSI Palau, Hanpa Industrial Development Corporation, HBO, Kumangai Bakery, Midtown Gas Station, Mingles Tototo, MJ Trading, Palasia Hotel, Palau Pacific Resort, Palau Trading, Pinoy Express Remittance, Shimbros International, Surangel and Sons, The Taj Palau, Palau Curtain, Engr. Bobby Pineda and Western Caroline Trading Company (WCTC).

The Filipino Basketball League (FBL) is under the supervision of the Palau Basketball Federation (PBF). By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)