by Karim Juan, Commissioner

As the Pepsi NEBL season slowly bounces its way toward the All-Star Break, the playoff scenarios are shaping up much quicker than in previous seasons.  The top teams are quickly separating themselves from each other, as playoff contenders are jostling for playoff positioning.  A few teams are struggling to keep their playoff hopes alive, with all their remaining games being very crucial.  Below are the standings after week 8.

Below is a breakdown of the different playoff scenarios.

1. San Pedro Tiger Sharks (7 – 1) – will clinch a playoff berth with a win or a loss by Belmopan Bandits. Presently holds tie-breaker for the #1 seed                                                             over all teams except DigiCell Belize City Defenders.

2. Griga Dream Ballers (6-1) – will clinch a playoff berth with a win and a loss by Belmopan andits OR by winning 2 of their remaining 5 games.                                                           Presently holds tie-breaker for #1 seed over all teams except San Pedro Tiger Sharks.

3. Smart Belize Hurricanes (4-3) – will clinch a playoff berth if they win 2 of their remaining 5 games, with one of the wins coming against                                                                             Belmopan Bandits.  They presently hold the tie-breaker over Verdes and Belmopan Bandits for the fourth                                                                       playoff spot.

4. DigiCell Belize City Defenders (4-2) – will clinch a playoff berth if they win 2 of their remaining 6 games, with one of the wins coming against                                                                             Verdes and the other win coming against Belmopan Bandits by more than 5 points OR if they win 2 of                                                                             their remaining 6 games and Verdes loses a game and Belmopan Bandits loses 2 games. They can also                                                                           clinch a playoff berth by winning 3 of their remaining 6 games, with one of the wins coming against                                                                                   Belmopan Bandits.

5. Verdes (2-6) – Verdes will be eliminated from playoff contention if they lose 1 more game and Smart Belize Hurricanes wins 1 more game OR                                DigiCell Belize City Defenders wins 2 more games.

6. Belmopan Bandits (2-5) – will clinch a playoff berth if they win their remaining 5 games and Griga Dream Ballers loses 4 of their remaining 5                                                        games OR if Smart Belize Hurricanes loses 3 of their remaining 6 games OR DigiCell Belize City Defenders loses 3 of                                                    their remaining 6 games. Other scenarios exist if Belmopan Bandits wins 4 of their remaining 5 games, which will be                                                   discussed next week.

7. Orange Walk Running Rebels (0-7) – will be eliminated from playoff contention with 1 more loss OR 2 wins by DigiCell Belize City Defenders.