Weekend Sporting Highlights With James Adderley

Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.

Fresh off the scoreless draw against Gallos Blanco of Queretero, Verdes FC got back to tending its business in the PLB Season, facing the Belize Defense Force inside the MCC Grounds yesterday. It would have been a magical start in the opening minutes when Delroy Andrews deals to San Leobardo Mendez whose attempt to score falls short, but watch Darrel Lambey streak in and can you believe he fails to open the scoreboard from pointblank range. The B.D.F. fires back with this long distance low cruise missile from Nunez that just inches past the far post of Yusef Guerra’s goal.

Verdes continues its search for goal off this nice set piece delivery by Jesus Petino to Delroy Andrews whose header is only denied by a magnificent save from B.D.F. keeper Tevin Gamboa. It’s more of the green machine when Deon McCauley sets up Darrel Lambey and again the finish is lacking. Folks we’re 9 minutes into 2^nd half when Jesus Petino centers into the danger zone, the B.D.F. fails to clear properly so the deadly Deon McCauley jumps on it to give Verdes the 1-zip lead. Verdes then looks to double the lead with this right foot offering from Yoras Silva who is denied by Tevin Gamboa. Delroy Andrews leads Deon McCauley for this attempt at goal, but again Gamboa turns the threat away. The B.D.F. tries to level the score off this set piece, but the launch from John King fails to dip in time.

It’s getting late, so drums reach out to the B.D.F. with some urgency. The drums night have been saying—hey guys, you have to capitalize on the opportunities that present themselves but it falls on deaf ears on this occasion. Of course it is never over till it’s over. At the 82^nd minute, John King steps up to this set piece almost on the touch line and finds Orlando Trapp whose half volley forces the 1-1 tie. Verdes FC has now stalemated in its last 3 outings including the scoreless Champion League draw with Queretero. On the 17^th of September, Verdes will be hosted at Mexico and then 22^nd they’ll be inside the F.F.B. stadium against San Francisco of Panama with the away game set for 22^nd October at Panama.

In other results from around the league, Wagiya got shot up by a 2-1 loss to the bandits at Belmopan while the Placencia Assassins clash with FC Belize failed to materialize as FC Belize did not meet the league’s requirements to participate which means it is a 6 team competition. On Saturday, at 7:30 p.m., inside the Michael Ashcroft, Wagiya take aim at Police. At San Ignacio, Verdes will host Belmopan Bandits on Sunday in a 4 p.m. start while also on Sunday, it’s a 3 p.m. start for the B.D.F. – Placencia Assassin match inside the MCC Grounds. Now here’s a reminder that the national male football selection kicks off round 3 play in the World Cup Qualifiers at the BMO Field in Toronto against the their Canadian counterparts on September 4^th. The home match is scheduled for September 8^th.

Turning to the basketball scene, the BDBA firms Tournament play offs is into full swing. Friday night at the Bird’s Isle, Belize Bank Bulldogs took on Central Health in a bid to make the finals. Roscoe Rhys finds Rupert Brown outside the arc who swishes in the triple and would tie for the Bulldogs team high with 22 pts. At the other end, Neil Nicholson knows what to do with the pill as he penetrates into the heart of the Bank’s defense with the answer. No doubt, Neil Nicholson can deliver big points as he beats everybody to the glass for 2 more –he would finish with the game high 33 pts going 12 for 19 from the field, 6 for 10 from the 3-pt area and 3 for 5 from the free throw line which earned him the highest efficiency rating of 31. Still at the end of the 1^st quarter, the Bulldogs lead Central Health 17 to 12.

The Bulldogs lead balloon in the 2^nd…Tarique Gabb finds Brian White who gets 2 and would tie for the team high with 22 pts and would lead all players with 8 rebounds for an efficiency rating of 30. Tarique Gabb beats Central Health down court for the easy 2 and would finish with 11. Health works this 3-man play with to perfection. Travis Bernardez to Steven Wade and Lonnie Trapp finishes. Nevertheless, the Bulldogs has extended the lead to 15 at the half. But here comes Central Health—Travis Bernardez penetrates for 2 and would finish with 11 pts. Mr. Nicholson remains solid as he works to bring his team back. At the end of 3, we’ve got a ballgame with the Bulldogs lead down to 4. With 3:07 remaining in the ballgame, Neil Nicholson makes it a 1 pt game with this triple.

With 13 seconds to the finals, Rupert Brown sinks 2 cruicial free throws for the Bank. Down by 3, Nicholson on look to the tie with the triple—it rims out Belize Bank Bulldogs is off to the 3-game final with a 71 to 68 big win. Also making the playoffs, Central Bank who crushed Heritage Bank 82 to 68 after getting a monster 32 pts from Leslie Jacobs, 21 from Dave Apolonio and 15 pts, 8 rebounds from Farron Louriano. High man for Heritage was Marvin Shute with 19 while Winston Pratt struck for 14 but it’s bye-bye. Meanwhile, game I of the finals got off on Saturday with the Bulldogs shutting down Central Bank 60 to 42 on 16 pts from Rupert Brown and 11 apiece from Brian White and Roscoe Reese. Game II is set for Friday and Game III if necessary comes up on Saturday.

In cycling news, we go to the finish of the Weekend Warriors Cat C 4 laps 30 mile race on the Bermudian Landing Circuit and its Enrique Morales of Caribbean Tyres edging out teammate Alejandro Morales for top honors while Eustace Ireland of Lampaz held on to 3^rd place. In the A/B 40 miler, Robert Mariano of Digicell 4G made it look easy as he cruises in for the big win. Kareem Flowers of Santino’s secures 2^nd place edging out Kent Gabourel of Megabytes, Jack Suther of Digicell 4G and mark Gentle in that order. In the B class, Santi Castillo took top honors, Ryan Willoughby of Smart finished 2^nd and Warren Coye of Santino’s rounds out the top 3.

Jah over all, I’m James Adderley.