By Karim Juan, Commissioner
Sunday, May 13, 2018
With the home teams in a must-win situation in order to extend the best-of-three series to a final and decisive game 3, both teams were able to exhibit some clutch plays down the stretch to narrowly grab the win and live to see another day. The two teams that will advance to the NEBL championship series will be decided this week, as the four playoff teams has a legitimate chance to be crowned champions.
DigiCell Defenders was able to defend home turf
In a must win game, DigiCell Belize City Defenders were out to avenge their second consecutive loss on the island against the Tiger Sharks, while making every effort to seal a victory in their newly built home court. The home squad jumped out to an early 27 – 21 lead to end the first quarter, with a hot start from the Leslie brothers, Jacob and Darwin. San Pedro Tiger Sharks was able to narrow the gap to 1 point going into the half, trailing 44 – 43. San Pedro’s top scorer was Jihad Wright with the game high of 21 points, while tallying 9 rebounds and 7 dimes. Ashton Edwards provide a huge spark off the bench, notching 14 points, including 2 shots from behind the arc. Big man, Marteviuis Adams was able to register 13 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals in the limited minutes he was on the court, clocking only 22 minutes for the game, due to foul trouble, while newcomer Emory Bennett Jr. finished the night with 11 points and 4 boards.
At the end of the third quarter the tide had slowly turned in favor of the Tiger Sharks, who was now nursing a 1 point lead, 67 – 66, going into the fourth quarter. The game witnessed 14 lead changes and 7 ties, as both teams were unable to foster a run in the second half to extend their lead. Key plays down the stretch, and an early exit from Adams gave the home team the edge, and they were able to seal the 86 – 83 victory to send the series back to San Pedro for game 3. DigiCell Belize City Defenders were led by this year’s MVP, Nigel Jones who posted a monster double-double with 21 points and 16 rebounds, while dishing out 2 assists and grabbing 2 steals. Rookie Francis Arana, who is now being trusted with more minutes on the court, tallied 15 points to go with 5 rebounds and 5 assists, while brothers Jacob Leslie and Darwin “Puppy” Leslie netted 14 points each in the win. Defenders had the huge edge on the charity stripe, hitting 21 of their 40 tries, while San Pedro also shot 52% from the free throw line, but only had 23 attempts. Defenders had the huge 17 – 3 advantage on points off turnovers, while outscoring San Pedro 26 – 12 in fast break points. However, San Pedro Tiger Sharks had the 36 – 25 advantage with points off the bench.
Game 3 now moves to San Pedro Town on Saturday night as DigiCell Belize City Defenders will make a third attempt to win a game out on the island, after falling their once in the regular season by 2 points and once in this series by 3 points. San Pedro’s forte is to defend home court, which they have done exceptionally over the NEBL’s five-year span. The table is now set for a spectacular game 3 in San Pedro on Saturday night, where the winner will advance to the NEBL Championship series. Darwin “Puppy” Leslie is trying to exact revenge on the team that he won his first 2 championships with, given that he fell short last season in the semi-finals to San Pedro Tiger Sharks, out on the island.