MJ Rangers showed determination as they needed an extra period to fend off a tough Surangel and Sons team, 91-90 Sunday in the ongoing 2012 season of the Filipino Basketball League at the Palau National gym.

The game went to over time after Nico Hinoza of MJ Rangers scored on a three point shot in the dying seconds of the fourth quarter to tie the game at 76-all. In the extra period, the Rangers fought toe-to-toe with Surangel and Sons.

With the score at 91-90 with less than seconds running down the clock, Surangel and Sons could have gotten the win, but sniper Gener Aguinaldo missed on an open look at the basket that pave way for the Ranger to claim their fourth win and tie the Choppers in the team standings with identical 4-4 win-loss records.

Hinoza topscored for the Rangers with 34 points and was backed up by Jay Naguit who finished with 22. Arnold Undencimo paced Surangel and Sons with 18 but was not enough as they suffered their third setback to tie the Ilocandia Bulls at 5-3.

In other games, Hanpa Cardinals upset the Choppers, 79-50; the Ilocandia Bulls humbled Western Union, 97-84; and Ocean View/PCGM won over FR Spoilers, 51-42 in the Master’s League.

On the other hand, FBL chairman Joseph Torres reminds all coaches that there will be a meeting tonight 7 p.m. at the FR Office in Meketii. Schedule for the second round will be discussed.  By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)