Surangel Stars got another acid test as they were able to get their acts together in the final stretch as they beat a tough Hanpa Cardinals, 87-80 in overtime Sunday in the 2014 season of the Filipino Basketball League (FBL) at the Palau National gym.

Leading 58-50 at the close of the third quarter, Surangel Stars saw their lead wash away as the Hanpa Cardinals spurted a 23-15 run in the fourth quarter that saw the game tied at 73-all that send the game into overtime.

In the extra period, Surangel Stars managed to re-group themselves and outscored the Cardinals with a 14-7 run that gave them the win. Surangel Stars main gunner Arnold Undecimo finished the game with 21 points as teammates Rex de Asis chipped in 14 markers while Ador Hilvano and Arnold Magcalas added identical 12 baskets, respectively.

On the other hand, despite losing steam in the extension period, Hanpa Cardinals got solid performances from Mhomar Sismaet who tallied 19 while teammates Raymund Tan and Phillip Maniago added 13 and 11, in that order.

With the win, Surangel Stars joins defending champion FR Spoilers and Western Union on top of the team standings with identical 2-0 win-loss records while Hanpa Cardinals suffered their second setback for a 0-2 start.

In other games, FR Spoilers drubbed Rams, 111-67; Western Union defeated the Jaguars, 103-83; and PECI Spartans won over the Ilocandia Bulls by default.

Games will resume on December 1 with PECI Spartans versus Western Union at 11 a.m. followed by the Royal Cargo Rangers-Liquid Skyy Dragons tussle at 12:30 p.m. as the Jaguars will meet Hanpa Cardinals at 2 p.m. while Aloha Maid Choppers will test the PNQ Crushers in the main game at 3:30 p.m.

Sponsors for this year’s season are Aqua Pure Water, ATT Karaoke and Bar, Blue Bay Petroleum, CTSI Palau, Hanpa Industrial Development Corporation, HBO, Kumangai Bakery, Midtown Gas Station, Mingles Tototo, MJ Trading, Palasia Hotel, Palau Pacific Resort, Palau Trading, Pinoy Express Remittance, Shimbros International, Surangel and Sons, The Taj Palau, Palau Curtain, Engr. Bobby Pineda and Western Caroline Trading Company (WCTC).

The Filipino Basketball League (FBL) is under the supervision of the Palau Basketball Federation (PBF).  By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)