Kobras defeated the Colts 78-73 in game two of their best of three playoff semi-final series in the Jaguars division to force a deciding game three fixture when the ‘One Guyana’ Basketball League continued on Saturday evening at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.
Travis Burnett top-scored in the win with 22 points. The next best scorers, with 12 and 11 points apiece, were Carlos Edwards and Trevor Smith. The trio of Romel Campbell, Drexel Aaron, and Nicholas Cassius added nine points each.
For the loser, Shelroy Thomas recorded a game high of 25 points, with Shane Webster and Domitri Rankin supporting with 16 and eight points, respectively. Kobras led from the start, following an 18-13 score at the end of the first quarter.
Kobras built on their advantage in the second quarter, outscoring their opponent 20-18 to enter the halftime interval ahead at 38-31. Colts marginally reduced the deficit in the third stanza, scoring 21 points while restricting Kobras to 19 points to enter the final period trailing 52-57.
However, any hopes of a Colts come-from-behind win were extinguished in the fourth period, as both teams recorded 21 points.
Meanwhile, the Eagles secured their berth to the Jaguars conference final after sweeping the University of Guyana (UG) Trojans 2-0 in their best of three series following a 68-59 win. Sherland Gillis led the way for the Eagles unit with 14 points, while Travis Belgrave assisted with 13 points. The combination of Michael Richards and Mark DaCosta contributed 12 points each.
On the other side, Jushawn Bailey and Kadeem Peterkin scored 19 and 16 points, respectively. The tone of the contest was set in the first stanza, as the Eagles soared to a 19-13 lead.
This was extended in the second period, as the Eagles netted 16 points while restricting the Trojans to a mere five points to enter the halftime time interval in control at 35-18.
The Trojans staged a fightback in the third period, netting 27 points while reducing the Eagles to 18 points to trail 45-53 heading into the final quarter.
However, any hopes of a Trojans comeback would be extinguished, as the Eagles outscored their opponent 15-14. Meanwhile, the Ravens will battle Kwakwani in the Harpy Eagles conference final.
The tournament, which is a collaboration between the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport (MCY&S) and G-Boats Incorporated, will be administered by the Guyana Basketball Federation. The winner of the tournament, which will be played every Saturday at the National Gymnasium, will pocket $1,000,000, while the loser will receive $500,000.
