Team Neco showed they can bounce from a setback as they went on to beat Surangel Kings, 85-78 to claim the championship crown in the Business division of the 2013 season of the Rudimch Enterprise Government/Business League played last November 5 at the Palau National gym.

After taking a 42-41 lead at the end of the first half, team Neco launched a 20-11 run in the third to increase their lead to 62-51. From there, Neco stood their ground and held on as they went all the way to win the game and close their best of three championship series with a 2-1 count.

Arvin Pramo led the charge for Neco as he normed 26 points as teammates Ronaldo Magcalas and Nico Hinoza chipped in identical 17 markers, respectively. Arnold Undecimo topscored for Surangel Kings with 36 as teammate Reid Una Rikrik added 17 as they settled for second place honors.

In the Government division, things are heating up as MOF Omsangel and MOJ Lawmen are still playing as of this writing in Game 3 of their own championship series. The series is tied at one-game all.

On the other hand, Roger Santos clipped 38 baskets as he led the Palau Royal Resort (PRR) Dragons over team ABC, 93-76 in the start of the Elite 8 season finals of the tournament.

Games in Elite 8 will resume tomorrow night with PPR Shark Attack versus KSG Royals at 6 p.m. followed by the Surangel Kings-President’s X-Men match at 7:30 p.m. while Neco will face PNCC Molekoi 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)