Trinity Grid Pacesetters overcame a shaky opening period to clinch their berth in the semi-finals defeating Plaisance Guardians 64-54 when the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) ‘Road to Mecca II’ National Club Championship continued on Friday.
Randy Richardson led all scorers with 21 points and seven rebounds at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Homestretch Avenue. He was assisted by Travis Burnette, Stephon Gillis and Royston Siland who recorded 13, seven and six points correspondingly.
Recording figures of 17 points and eight rebounds was Mark Richards while Nikkoloi Smith and Ron Campbell chipped in with 14 and eighth points respectively.
Trailing 7-12 in the opening period, Pacesetters would cut the deficit to one in second stanza, outscoring Guardians 13-9 to go into the half at 20-21.
Burnett led the way with five points through two layups and a free throw while Ruel Ritch nailed a pivotal three pointer with less than 20 seconds remaining.
Top scoring for the East Coast of Demerara unit in the period was Richards with six points.
The pivotal third quarter would see the momentum remain with the Georgetown unit as they outscored Guardians by a 23-9 margin.
Richardson was the catalyst for the assault, netting 10 points in the remaining five minutes through battling layups to ignite a 12-2 run as Pacesetters pulled away following a 28-28 score line.
Supporting with five and four points respectively in the period were Travis Williams and Burnett. With a sizable lead at their disposal upon leading 43-30, Pacesetters would surrender the final quarter by a slim 23-21 score.
Seven points was the effort of Richardson in the period while Gillis netted six through two three pointers and Burnett grabbed four points from two layups. Smith shouldered the scoring in the final quarter for Guardians, netting 12 points from a three pointer, five foul shots and two layups.
Assisting with nine points was Richards inclusive of a monstrous one handed dunk in the final 10 seconds to spark loud applause. With the win, Pacesetters will now oppose arch-rivals and defending champions Dynas Ravens, who defeated Victory Valley Royals 76-65.
Ryan Stephney scored 19 points in the win while Dominic Vicente, Ryan Gullen, Akeem Kanhai and Winston Chapman netted 12, 11, 10 and nine points correspondingly. Scoring 18 points in the loss was Orlan Glasgow while Harold Adams netted 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
Also contributing double-doubles were Chris Williams who recorded 14 points and 13 rebounds and Lawrence DaCosta. who battled his way to 11 points and 13 rebounds.
In the earlier moments of the fixture, the defending champ would take a 14-5 lead in the bruising affair through a eight point showing from the duo of Vicente and Chapman.
Vicente netted four points through a three point daggers and a foul shot while Chapman scored two layups. Another physical showing would highlight the second period as Royals edged Ravens 19-18 to go into the half behind 32-24.
Glasgow commenced the blitz with six points highlighted by two layups and a jump-shot while Chris Williams and DaCosta earned five points each. Williams shot his way to his haul inclusive of a three point missile with 1:48 left on the clock while DaCosta constantly attacked the rim.
However, Ravens would reverse the fortune in the third stanza, outshooting Royals 18-17. Stephney was the pick of the bunch for Ravens as he netted six points compliments of three layups while Kanhai shot his way to four points.
DaCosta was once again the main threat in the paint for Royals as he registered six points while Adams scored four points highlighted by a three pointer. Stephney would then make his presence felt once more in the final period, recording eight points from one three pointer, two layups and a freethrow.
Rodwell Fortune chipped in with six points from two layups and two freethrows while Chapman registered a layup, a jump-shot and a freethrow in his five points. Glasgow scored nine points from a three pointer and three layups while Adams powered his way to seven points compliments of a three-pointer, and two layups.
Similarly clinching a berth to the semi-final round was Colts who squeaked past Pepsi Sonics 76-72 in the opening quarterfinal matchup. Shelroy Thomas led all scorers with 17 points while recording nine rebounds, six steals and four assists.
He was supported by Dave Causway and Shane Webster who netted 16 and 12 points respectively. Jason Squires was the top scorer for the losers with 15 points while Trevor Smith netted 14 points and Earl O’Neil recorded figures of 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Due to their win, Colts will now lock horns with last year’s runners-up Retrieve Raiders who defeated fellow Linden side Kashif and Shanghai Kings 69-44. Neil Marks was the top scorer for the winners with 15 points while Keon Cameron contributed 10 points.
Registering a game-high 19 points in the loss was Omally Sampson. Winner of the tourney will pocket $400,000 and the championship trophy while second, third and fourth place finishers will receive $200,000, $150,000 and $75,000 correspondingly.
Action is set to continue today with the grand finale.m The tourney will also be used as part of the selection process for the upcoming international series against Bermuda slated to be hosted in the month of March.
