LINDEN’S Victory Valley Royals pulled off an upset, blow-out 70-49 points win over Ravens to clinch a semi-final berth in the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF)-organised Forbes Burnham Memorial Basketball Championship. Royals will now face Colts on Saturday, August 29, while Pacesetters, who made light work of Retrieve Raiders 79-49 in their quarter-finals, will come up against Half Mile Bulls.
Basketball fans at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall were stunned – literally – as they watch Royals destroy the mighty Ravens – Guyana’s most dominant ‘ball club’.
The usually high-powered offensive Ravens were humbled by the aggression and air-tight defence of the Royals and displayed their scoring ability.
In fact, Ravens only trailed by five points (45-40) heading into the final period but Royals turned up the pressure, scoring 25 points and holding the Ravens to just nine points.
Lawrence De Costa scored eight of his 17 points in the fourth quarter but Harold Adams was the star of the night and slammed in a game-high 22 points with support from Orlan Glasgow who netted 16 points.
Ryan Stephney was Ravens’ top scorer with 13 points and normally dependable Ryan Gullen was held to ten points.
Meanwhile, in the first of the night’s double-header, Trinity Grid Holding (TGH) Pacesetters showed why they are considered one of the most consistent basketball clubs in Guyana as they out-muscled the Linden team (Retrieve Raiders).
Royston Siland led the way with 13 points and Jaleel Duke netted 12 for Pacesetters. Neil Marks was his usual self but was held to just 10 points.