Tournament darkhorse team Choppers end their elimination round campaign with a bang as they won over Surangel and Sons, 84-68, Sunday in the 2012 Filipino Basketball League (FBL) played at the Palau National gym.

After the score tied at 15-all in the first period, the Choppers took a 32-30 lead the close of the first half. The Choppers broke away in the third as they outscored Surangel and Sons with a 28-13 output to take a commanding 60-43 advantage.

The Choppers then never looked back as they scored the win to sport an 8-8 win-loss tally going into the playoffs. Bon-Bon Pramo led the scoring clutches for the Choppers with 26 points as teammates Erwin Gonzalgo and JR Gonzales added 21 and 13 baskets, respectively.

Surangel and Sons, who played with out Arnold Undecimo, Edzel Torres, Ador Hilvano, Gener Aguinaldo and playing coach Eric Manio, was led by Melvin Parinas who finished the game with 19 markers while Bong Gayongorza chipped in 17 as they tie the Ilocandia Bulls with identical 10-6 in the team standings.

On the other hand, defending champion FR Spoilers drubbed the Jaguars, 125-78.

After the elimination round, the league will relax for a while as they will have the All Star Weekend on September 9 while the quarterfinal round will tip off on September 23 at the same venue.

In the quarterfinals set to meet are FR Spoilers against the Jaguars; Western Union will meet Hanpa Cardinals; the Choppers will meet anew Surangel and Sons; and the Ilocandia Bulls will face MJ Rangers.  By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)