UB Jaguars are the senior champs in Ballin 4 Life tournament
Good evening I’m James Adderley, welcome to this delivery of Sports Monday. Week two of the Belize bank Super League playoffs saw Nizhee Corozal play host to the always dangerous City Boys F.C. United inside the Ricalde Stadium. And it’s the home team looking to strike first when Michael Whittaker attempts this wicked power slice that ricocheted off the far upright. City Boys make their bid some minutes later off this set piece triggered by Raymond Gentle to Jason Young who finds Dalton Cayetano but the keeper denies the goal. At the half, we’ve got a scoreless ballgame.
Immediately out of intermission, Sergio Villanueva gets this look at goal only to let Charlie Slusher off the hook with this high riser from pointblank range. At the other end, Raymond Gentle beats his man and fires but it’s directly at the keeper, Benito Moreira who makes a big time save. In response, Nizhee Corozal goes to Michael Whitaker who certainly botches what should have given his a 1-zip lead with this detective right foot push. Jason Young then picks out Raymond Gentle on this center; however, Benito Moreira intervenes in time. Meanwhile, City Boys feel they have a penalty kick when Kenny Canul takes down Tyrone Linares inside the box. The referee rules that Canul got a touch on the before the contact. It’s more City Boys when Raymond Gentle gets this nice feed only to squander the opportunity because of haste. So Gentle tries to make amends by going acrobatic on this attempt. It’s a decent attempt but Moreira is well positioned in goal. It’s getting late and Nizhee Corozal looks to steal the win when this loose ball reaches Michael Whittaker whose right away punch raises over the crossbar. This one concludes in a scoreless stalemate.
The other match up in this four team double round playoff format was staged at the M.C.C. Grounds where Hattieville F.C. punished the Placencia Assassin in a 4-zip blast. The number one seed has now lost two in a row in the playoffs. The playoffs continue this weekend with week three. Placencia Assassin who seem to have lost their regular season form, will host City Boys at the Michael Ashcroft Stadium Saturday at seven-thirty p.m. and on Sunday Hattieville F.C. will be inside the M.C.C. Grounds against Nizhee Corozal at four p.m.
In other football news, Gentle Touch of Esperanza took one step closer to the 2010 female football title with a 2-1 big W over Millennium Girls in the homestead on Saturday. this coming Saturday finds game two of the championship series inside the M.C.C. Grounds. Meanwhile, the Smart Champion of Champions Summer Camp Football Marathon is set for this Thursday, August fifth at nine a.m. in under-ten, under-13 and under-15 play. Teams wanting to join in can contact Stanley Reneau at Tel: 627-4041.
Checking in on the Billiards scene, last night Lakers upset Advance Advertising in a 6-4 finish that has the sport abuzz. On Tuesday, Royal Club Battles Mi Segunda Casa and then takes on Travellers on Wednesday. On Thursday, Mike’s Club comes out against Mi Segunda Casa.
Turning to the Ballin 4 Life Basketball playoffs, Friday saw game two of the senior championship take center stage with UB Jaguars going in with a one game advantage over the Belmopan Bandits. It’s Captain Steven Williams of UB with the first bucket of the ballgame. It’s a three point shot but we’re not certain he did dial the bank. Williams then goes right side and guess what he lands the tre and this time it’s straight up. The bandits are down by twelve before Rupert Brown gives them their first points with this baseline bucket. By they do get hot; Kurt Burgess raises up for two points. Jay Chavarria wants and gets three for the Bandits and at the end of the first quarter, it’s Belmopan up 16-15. It’s a close ballgame all the way to halftime with the bandits showing a 31-29 lead.
In the third quarter, UB makes a move. Leroy Lauriano misses the layup but Farron Louriano puts back the put back. Farron then picks up the loose ball and goes all the way for the easy deuce. Leroy Lauriano spots for three and he hits the bucket. Stephen Williams tries the mid range jumper and he gets the bounce for two. Daniel Nolberto gets into the act with this penetration and completes the play by going glass. At the end of three, the UB lead is three. UB goes on to pose the 77-59 final score and with that wine, takes the 2010 senior basketball title and we say congratulations.
Meanwhile, folks the InterOffice Basketball League returned to action yesterday with a massive five game schedule. Port of Belize sunk Youth for the Future 52-29. Telemedia Digicell handled Belize Healthcare/Central Cable in a 74-49 rout. Atlantic Bank stopped BWSL 49-40, FirstCaribbean/Quan’s embarrassed B.E.L. 95-39 and Roe Group shut down the National Fire Service 58-31. Tonight’s matchup at the City Center finds Telemedia facing Tuff e Nuff, Belize City Council battles Customs and K.H.M.H. takes on the Police.
Hey folks, that’s our show for today. Jah over all, I’m James Adderley.
