Team Airwaves and National 17 and Under earned a seat in the Elite 8 after beating separate foes, Friday night in the ongoing play off round of the IP&E Amateur Basketball League at the Palau National gym.

The Airwaves muscled their way inside the paint as they fend off a tough Ngerchelong Blue Sharks, 85-51. The Airwaves dominated the game as they took a 44-24 lead at the end of the first half.

From there, the Airwaves made sure that the Ngerchelong Blue Sharks won’t be able to make a come back to score the win. Gino Smau paced the Airwaves with 26 points as Cospy Kelmel finished with 12 markers for the Ngerchelong Blue Sharks on the losing end.

On the other hand, Medermel Yaoch and Ray Rumong tallied 24 and 23 baskets, respectively as they led the Nationals 17 and Under team past Mesang Red Storm, 89-67.

With the win, both the Airwaves and Nationals 17 and Under team moves on to the Elite 8. The Airwaves will face Ksau Imaging Solutions tonight at 6 p.m. while the Nationals 17 and Under team will take on the Ngermid Rivals in the main game at 7:30 p.m.

Winners of the games will then advance to the Final Four which will start on Friday night.

In other games, Stingers won over the Ranchers, 76-73; Ksau Imaging Solutions drubbed Ididers, 101-77; and Ngermid Rivals defeated the Aimeliik Rainers, 80-60.

The tournament is a tobacco, alcohol and drug free program and all violators will be banned from participating. For more information call Topps Sungino at 488-4491.  By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)