Defending champion FR Spoilers and Western Union will meet in the best of three championship series after beating respective rivals, Sunday in the semifinal round of the 2013 season of the Filipino Basketball League at the Palau National gym.

FR Spoilers, who are looking for another repeat performance in the championship round, took the first final’s spot after their 90-81 victory over RP Rangers. The Spoilers meant business as they erected a 28-14 lead in the opening tip off.

Then the troika of Michael Bombita, play maker Coco Gonzales and Lester Mendoza did much of the damage inside and outside the defense of the Rangers as the Spoilers closed the first half with a 49-36 advantage.

Despite the Rangers last gallant stand in the final canto wherein they outscored the Spoilers with a 27-23 run, it was still not enough as the later managed to stood their ground and take the win.

The win also was a payback for the Spoilers who suffered their only lost in this year’s conference at the hands of the Rangers. Bombita sizzled for 30 points as Mendoza and Gonzales chipped in 23 and 16 markers, respectively.

On the other hand, Nico Hinoza carried much of the scoring load for the Rangers as he finished the game with 26 baskets while Emerson Patenia added 14.

In the main game, Western Union earned another trip to the finals as they bested a tough Surangel Stars, 88-85. After taking a 46-32 lead in the first half, Western Union sailed smoothly for the win.

Dennis Castro fired 19 points for Western Union as teammate Ronald Magcalas added 18 while Arnold Undecimo clipped 24 markers to lead Surangel Stars as rookie Joey Tabaquero chipped in 15.

With wins, FR Spoilers will face Western Union in a best of three finals series with Game One set on August 4 at 2:30 p.m. while RP Rangers will face Surangel Stars for third place honors at 1 p.m.

Games are supervised by the Palau Basketball Federation (PBF). This year’s FBL League is supported by ATT Bar and Restaurant, HE Automotive, Palasia Hotel, Palau Royal Resort, Surangel and Sons Company, FR Construction, Engrs. Jun dela Cruz, Bobby Pineda, and Benjamin Asuncion, Budget Mart II, Kabayan Restaurant and Aqua Water.  By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)