MOF – Omsangel survives OT, while a late rally results to a Spider win
Ministry of Finance – Omsangel team scored 12 compared to only 5 for their challengers from the Palau National Olympic Committee – Mercury at the extension period to steal a win and grab first seat of the government division championship match, at the same time as Spiders escaping with a victory against MPIIC earning the right to meet with team MOF at the finals.
With the score locked up at 75 – 75 and seconds remaining before the end of the regulation, PNOC – Mercury was not able to take advantage of their ball possession from which they failed to throw a shot at the sound of the buzzer. Team Omsangel worked on a more organized offense to score back to back baskets and put up a much better defense to clamp down on the offense of PNOC cagers to get an early lead at the overtime period. From there, MOF did not look back as they turn the lights out on their opponent with a score of 87 – 80. Jovanny of MOF topscored with 20 points while Sunshine, Roydan, and Weston chipped in 18, 13, and 16 on that order while Ziske and Wallace contributed 30 and 26 for the losing team, PNOC – Mercury.
Earlier that night with regards to the other semi – final match, Spiders were able to gain the upperhand and eventually a win with a final tally of 71 – 61 when they staged a late rally at the final stages of the match courtesy of their aggressive team defense resulting to series of steals and scored baskets at the other their end courtesy of Taka, Raymond, and Brent’s great team work. Taka, George, and Raymond shot for 27, 12, and 11 points that led to Spiders win while Russ, Burton, and Jeff scored for 20, 20, and 17 for MPIIC.
As a result of the matches, team Spiders and team MOF – Omsangel fights for this year’s government division championships, while PNOC – Mercury meets with team MPIIC to challenge for the consolation game.
Business League:
PRR – Royals stuns team Galaxy, whereas Fish N Fins drubs Surangel
Fish N Fins displayed their quickness and shooting capabilities against team Surangel as they were able to defeat the latter and moved to the final match of the business division, whereas team Palau Royal Resort – Royals were able to out hassle and outplay team Galaxy to reach their first finals game.
In spite of a scoring rampage by Arnold who dropped 20 for team Surangel, Fish N Fins played more as a team as they spread their offense to three key players namely Moses, Clint, and Matty who put up 23, 14, and 12 points to win with 71 – 64 as the end result of the match.
Later on that same night however on a different match, Hener Aguinaldo of PRR – Royals shot for 23 while team mates Rush and Agent pitched in 17 points a piece to help their team topple team Galaxy at a score of 83 – 81 at the buzzer. Castro and Alambra topscored for team Galaxy with 26 and 20.
As an outcome of the said matches, PRR – Royals faces Fish N Fins for the title match of the business division while losing teams, Galaxy and Surangel, will battle for the consolation game.
All title matches of both divisions will be played on Tuesday, October 27, starting off with the government division championship game followed by the business division title match. Consolation games will be featured on Monday, 26th of October with the same arrangements as the championship match where government teams go first then business.
In other news, 2009 GBL organizers, coaches, and team representatives will have a meeting on Tuesday, October 27 to discuss the season finals in which all teams of both government and business division meets to determine the team that will reign as this year’s season champions.
