Mason’s Hardware and Ministry of Education (MOE) I started their bid on a winning note after beating separate rivals that signaled the start of the 2011 season of the Rudimch Enterprise Government/Business League last Sept. 6 at the Palau National gym.

After the presentation of check by Rudimch Enterprise as the major sponsor of the league as represented by Shawn Rudimch, Mason’s Hardware defeated a tough Neco Group, 99-97 in a nail biting opening match.

Mason’s Hardware struggled in the first half as they trailed Neco, 58-33. They adjusted their defense in the third canto that saw them outscoring team Neco with a 35-21 output to cut the lead at 68-79.

In the fourth quarter, Mason’s Hardware offense saw daylight as two of Neco’s players namely Joemar Naguit and Nico Hinoza fouled out of the game leaving four players for Neco. That did mark the offensive boost for Mason’s Hardware as they poured 31 points to sail away with the win.

Una Rikrik paced Mason’s Hardware with 26 baskets while Bon-Bon Pramo led Neco with 28 on the losing side.

On the other hand, MOE I showed might as they routed Koror State Government, 91-76. Yutaka Gibbons Jr. led the offensive chores for MOE I Spiders with 29 markers while Gino Smau tallied 28 for KSG.

In other games, Fish and Fins Hunters defeated Sam’s Sharks, 74-59; PPR Shark Attack bested Palasia Hotel, 107-56; Cops downed MOE II, 80-78; and MOF Omsangel won over PNCC, 81-76.

Games will resume tonight with PNOC/PBRA Mercury Optimax versus Justice League at 6 p.m. followed by the MPIIC-PPUC Kamik tussle at 7:30 p.m. Matches on Sept. 12 will have Cops against MOF Omsangel at 6 p.m. as PNCC Molekoi will face KSG at 7:30 p.m. while Sam’s Shark will take on Neco in the night cap at 9 p.m.

Teams comprising the business division are Spoilers (sponsored by FR Construction Company), Neco (sponsored by Neco Group of Companies), Palasia Hotel (sponsored by Palasia Hotel), F and F Hunters (sponsored by Fish and Fins Dive Shop), Sam’s Shark (sponsored by Palau Sea Ventures/Sam’s Tours), Mason’s Hardware (sponsored by Surangel and Sons), PPR Shark Attack (sponsored by Palau Pacific Resort), PRR Royals (sponsored by Palau Royal Resort), SDA Crusaders (sponsored by Geoffrey Martin) and Dollar 99 (sponsored by Dollar 99 Store).

For the government division team include MOF Omsangel (sponsored by Ministry of Finance), PNOC-Mercury Optimax (sponsored by PNOC/Surangel and Sons), PNCC Molekoi (sponsored by Palau National Communications Corporation), Cops (sponsored by Sen. Mlib Tmetuchl), MOE II (sponsored by Ministry of Education), MOE I Spiders (sponsored by Sen. Raynol Oilouch), KSG (sponsored by Koro State Government), MOJ (sponsored by Belau Medical Clinic), MPIIC (sponsored by Min. Jackson Ngiraingas) and PPUC Kamik (sponsored by PPUC).

The league is a tobacco, alcohol and drug free program and all violators will be banned form participating. By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)