By Nazario Rodriguez Jr.
Horizon news staff

Last year’s fourth place Kayangel opened its title quest on a bright note by beating expansion team Ngerbeches (Peches), 14-2, on Wednesday night in the 2007 season of the Palau Major League at the Asahi Field.
The game was stopped on the bottom of the seventh inning in this nine-inning tournament due to the 10-run rule.
With the morale-boosting victory, Kayangel joined Airai in the early tournament lead.
Airai, last year’s runner-up, won over third ranked Ngerbeched, 9-2, in the season opener last Monday.
Tuesday’s game between Koror and Ngardmau was postponed due to the heavy rains.
As of presstime last night, Palau Community College Mesekiu is going up against Ngaraard.
Today’s game will be between Airai and Koror and on Saturday Jan 13 Ngerbeched will take on Ngardmau at 1 p.m. while Kayangel will meet PCC at 3 p.m.
Seconds before the game, Kayangel Team Manager Sen. Mlib Tmetuchl vowed that his team would go all out for the championship trophy this year.
Composed of essentially the same players the previous season, except for three rookies, Kayangel had been picked by the other coaches as one of the solid favorites this time.
"That’ what they think of us but I don’t know. Of course, we know we have a good team too," said Tmetuchl, whose players have been there for the past three years.
This could be their banner season.
"They are confident and their morale is high. Our ultimate goal really is to win the title," he said.
Tmetuchl said it will be a battle of the mound because of the ninth inning game and the team is leaning heavily on pitchers Homer Hesus and Omengkar Nagata.
The others in the roster are Blanco Rodrick, Sadang Osarch, Smau Imeong, Blelai Tomei, Cartfield Sablan, Poch Osima, Wilbur Telei, Deston Pealard, Wiseman Kumaichi, Hadley Hesus, Jordan Malsol, Kiukl Ridpath, Tomei Blelai, Dexter Sadang, Despedall Ridpath, O.J. Johnson and Dingelius Ngotel.
On the other hand, Ngerbeches is a team that should not be taken for granted.
Although, it is a new team, its players are veterans in the PML.
Playing Coach Lamz Johanes prefers to call his wards as comeback players.
"We’re still re-grouping. We started practicing in mid-November," said Johanes before the start of their debut as a team.
Asked about their chances, Johanes said he can only guarantee that they will finish the season but vowed that they do the best they can to join the thick of the fight.
In offense, he said, his players can hit and in defense, it’s just getting fine.
Lamz would be taking charge first base while Umiich Sengebau is the ace pitcher.
The other players are Tellei Rekemesik (centerfield), Peace Arurang (Left fielder), Balkuu Smus (2nd base), Pete Ito (Right fielder), Lucas Kitalong (Shortstop), Everson Sadang (3rd base), Randy Tomei (catcher), Calvin Johanes and Burt Mabel.