Raiders receive semi-pro championship trophy
The controversy surrounding last Friday’s semi-pro championships ended yesterday with the Belize Basketball Association Appeals Board upholding Phoenix Footlocker Raiders’ win. The board ruled that although there had been a referee error that put B.T.L. at a disadvantage, FIBA rules only allow for a correction of the error during the game, not after. Undaunted by the controversy, today the Raiders proudly accepted their trophy. News Five was there for the moment the team, and their fans, had been waiting for. Arreini Palacio reports.
The 1999 Semi-Pro Basketball season has finally come to an end with the presentation of awards and trophies to this year’s champs Phoenix Footlocker Raiders. And although this will go down in the history books as the season of unforgettable and unbelievable plays, everyone would agree that Keith Acosta’s seventeen points, nineteen rebounds, six blocks and two steals in the finals have earned him the status of Most Valuable Player. According to Raiders’ Manager Marshall Nuñez, Acosta is worthy of the recognition.
Marshall Nuñez, Manager, Raiders
“Keith is a phenomenal player; he does all the things on the basketball court that people go out to see. We also have to remember that semi-pro basketball is an industry and he honestly deserves that award.”
Although his manager, teammates and even his father believe that he is entitled to the award after the hard work he put in this season, the center forward was very modest about accepting the MVP.
Keith Acosta, MVP
“Whenever I go out to play basketball, I do not expect to win any rewards, I just go out there to play.
No doubt the last six seconds in the finals that was one of my best plays in Basketball.”
Before the spectacular play by Acosta in the last point six seconds of the controversial championship match, some fans of the game almost spoiled the event by throwing bottles on the court. According to the Belize Basketball Association’s President, Hilly Martinez, measures will be taken to prevent a repeat of the violent outburst.
Hilly Martinez, President, B.B.A.
“We have done what we could to eliminate these problems. At the final game we had additional security; we had approximately thirty policemen plus seven security guards, but I am sure that nobody entered the stadium with the bottle. The way it’s situated I am sure that they had passed the bottle in through the gates and I am sure they could not have passed security through the main entrance with the bottle. It is unfortunate that it happened and we hope it does not happen again.”
And now that the season has finally ended, Martinez says that the basketball association can concentrate on other things.
Hilly Martinez
“We are trying to get training for the referees locally and internationally and next year we are trying to expand the teams. This year we had five teams, next year, right now, with one more team. I am sure the Orange Walk organization may come in. So it is to expand the league and have a good season.”
With fan attendance on the rise, everyone is expecting a good show and a good season next year. Arreini Palacio for News Five.
If you want to get up close and personal with the Raiders team, tune in to “One on One” tonight with Dickie Bradley at eight.
