Tournament darkhorse Surangel Stars improves their standings as they went on to beat Liquid Skyy Dragons, 115-100, Sunday in the ongoing Filipino Basketball League (FBL) at the Palau National gym.

The Stars showed dominance in the early goings of the game as they established a 30-22 lead in the opening quarter and then despite being outscored by the Dragons in the second with a 25-27 output, the Stars still managed to close the first half of play with a 55-49 advantage.

Then the Stars made their move in the third quarter of play as they pounded the Dragons with a 33-16 onslaught as they erected an 88-65 lead. Despite the efforts in the fourth, the Dragons were held at bay as the Stars continued their dominance in and outside the paint giving the latter the win.

Rex de Asis and teammate Leo Magcalas did much of the damage in the Dragons interior defense as they finished the game with 29 and 20 points, respectively. Other Stars who were in double digits were Arnold Undecimo who had 16 while Bong Gayongorza and Ronald Magcalas tallied identical 15 markers.

The win improved the Stars standing as they now take an 8-2 tally.

On the other hand, Jerome Castillo led the scoring chores for the Dragons with 20 as Jun Bautista added 14 on the losing end. They now sport a 4-6 win-loss record.

In other games, the Ilocandia Bulls mauled the Rams, 116-67; Royal Cargo Rangers beat the Jaguars, 74-66; and FR Spoilers won over the Aloha Maid Choppers, 110-87.

Games will resume on March 16 with the last games in the elimination round. It will feature Liquid Skyy versus Hanpa Cardinals at 11 a.m. followed by the Western Union-Rams tussle at 12:30 p.m. as the Ilocandia Bulls will meet Surangel Stars at 2 p.m. while PECI Spartans will take on PNQ Crushers 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)