Payback time.
Team 4x4 Wheelers displayed character and poise as they went on to beat a tough FR Spoilers, 89-75, Wednesday night in the ongoing 2012 season of the IP&E National Basketball League (NBL) at the Palau National gym.

It was a sweet revenge for 4x4 Wheelers, who lost the championship title to FR Spoilers in the IP&E Amateur Basketball League. After taking a 21-17 lead in the opening quarter, 4x4 Wheelers showed determination as they held on to their lead and went on to win the game.

With the win, 4x4 Wheelers now sports a 3-1 win-loss record. Yutaka Gibbons Jr. and Russel Roman topscored for 4x4 Wheelers with identical 19 points while Coco Gonzales finished with 26 to lead the Spoilers to their second setback for a 2-2 tally in the team standings.

In other games, Melengoes defeated Surangel Kings, 77-75; Meda won over Mercury Optimax, 65-64; Peched Raw downed Islanders, 86-67; National 17 and Under bested Kabong, 74-60; and Melengoes downed Aqua Smooth, 100-74.

Games resume tonight with Kabong versus Islanders at 6 p.m. followed by the 4x4 Wheelers-Nationals 17 and Under tussle at 7:30 p.m. while Melengoes will meet Peched Raw in the main game at 9 p.m.

Monday night games will feature Spoilers against Mercury Optimax at 7:30 p.m. as Kabong will face Aqua Smooth in the main game at 9 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)