THE quest for Super Eight spots in the National Basketball Championships, The Road to Mecca III, continues tonight at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with a triple-header from 17:00hrs when Plaisance Guardians battle Republic Bank Nets.Berbice’s New Amsterdam Warriors and Linden’s Retrieve Raiders will play the second game at 19:00hrs, before University of Guyana (UG) Trojans take on Pepsi Sonics in the headline game of the night.
The opening game should be a humdinger between rising stars Plaisance and the established Nets.
Energetic guard Nikkoloi Smith will lead Plaisance with support from Enoch Matthews, Mark Richards and other quality players.
Meanwhile, Nets will place the experienced forwards, Fabian Johnson and Mortimer Williams, in the heat of the battle. Guards Hodayah Stewart and Darrian Lewis, will also lend support in what is expected to be a tough contest.
The second game should be an easy one for Retrieve RaidersUuless there is a massive upset that results in a change of fortune. Dwayne Roberts, Neil Marks and Keon Cameron will lead Raiders into this contest against New Amsterdam Warriors.
In a pre-game interview, Warriors coach Kirk Fraser told Kaieteur Sport that he is looking for an improved performance from his team. To that end he has brought back Carlos Crandon to be part of his roster.
The feature game should be another humdinger with Naylon Loncke and Ewart Smith attempting to mount a challenge to Jason Squires, Trevor Smith and Aubrey Austin’s Sonics. This game will be one to watch given its known balance.
The three winning teams will advance from tonight’s proceedings to the second round, which will be the quarterfinals or the Super Eight. They join the two teams from last night; three more teams will move forward when the Round-of-16 ends tomorrow night.
A release from the GABF stated that tonight’s half-time entertainment features artiste, Lady T in the breaks along with Cheerleaders. The national three-point shootout is expected to start tonight as well, along with other games for sponsors’ giveaways.
This is in addition to the DJs and sound system that will be there to entertain patrons throughout the night. Fans will be eligible for smart phones, tablets and other giveaways at each game as the federation looks to engage the fans.