Contender Ngermid Rivals showed their scoring prowess as they went on to beat defending champion Peched Raw, 112-69 in Game Two to level their best of five championship series of the 2014 IP&E National Basketball League (NBL) at the Palau National gym.

After a dismal performance in Game One, the Rivals quickly went to work in Game Two establishing a 26-19 advantage in the opening frame and then continued their dominance in the second as they spurted a 27-20 run to close the first half with a 53-39 lead.

As if that was not enough, the Rivals put on a shooting clinic in the third quarter as they took a 31-16 run to further the gap at 84-55. With no resistance from Peched Raw, Ngermid Rivals took away the game for good to level the series at 1-game all.

Five players from the Rivals finished the game in double figures. King Ngiraboi made his presence felt as he unleashed 41 points including 26 in the first half of play. Ngiraboi’s teammates Ray Rumong chipped in 17 as Marvic Ngchar tallied 15. Other Rivals who finished in double digits included Elway Ngiraboi with 13 and Vincent Kulas who had 11 points.

On the other hand, Traxx Mark Remeliik topscored for Peched Raw with 26 baskets as teammates Sunshine Soalablai and Timis Emesiochel chipped in 18 and 11 baskets, respectively.

Game Three is still playing as of this writing while Game Four will be played tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. and if necessary Game Five will be on August 15 also at 7:30 p.m.

The tournament, which is supervised by the Palau Basketball Federation (PBF), is a tobacco, alcohol and drug free program. For more information call Topps or Mikey at 488-4491. By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)