Team Nationals and Peched Raw barged their way into the semifinals after beating separate rivals, Wednesday night in the ongoing 2013 season of the IP&E National Basketball League (NBL) played at the Palau National gym.

The Nationals made their fourth quarter run to beat a tough team Breakers, 87-81. Trailing 58-55 going into the final canto, the Nationals anchored a 32-23 run that gave them the win a slot in the semifinals.

Marvic Ngchar norm 25 points while teammate Ray Rumong muscled his way inside the paint finishing with 21. Joey Sumor, on the other hand, topscored for the Breakers with 19 markers as Ryu Richard added 12 baskets on the losing end.

In the main game, Peched Raw used their second quarter attack to finish off PCC Mesekiu, 88-71.

Leading 19-15, Peched Raw displayed their tough defense as they outscored PCC Mesekiu, 27-9 and close the first half with a 46-24 lead. From there, Peched Raw sailed smoothly to win the game.

Perry Oiterong carried the load for Peched Raw with 24 as teammate King Ngiraboi chipped in 14 while Joshua Kloulubak tallied 20 for PCC Mesekiu on the losing side.

In other games, WCC Hammers drubbed Ksau Imaging Solutions, 107-78; and FR Spoilers bested Neco Marine Stingers, 105-70.

Games will resume tonight with Game One of the best of three semifinals series between the Nationals against Peched Raw at 7:30 p.m.

Monday night matches will feature Game Two of the match featuring Nationals versus Peched Raw at 6 p.m. while WCC Hammers will meet FR Spoilers in Game One of their own series at 7:30 p.m.

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)