The stars will be out in tonight’s quarter-finals

THE battle lines have been drawn as the fate of several teams will be decided this evening, when the quarter-final round in the inaugural Rio Indoor Streetball Championship is played at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

The four matches programmed for the evening are expected to thrill the large gathering that is expected to descend on the venue to witness the thrilling action.
Tournament hosts and dark-horse Rio All-Stars will open the night’s proceedings against Future Stars from 20:00hrs. Rio All-Stars possess quality players in the form of Andrew Murray, Jermin Junior, Job Caesar and Kelsey Benjamin and will fancy their chances of progressing to the semi-final round.

However, standing in their way will be the quartet of Kevin Cummings, Keron Solomon, Jamal Cozier and Rondell Bowman. A major rivalry will be revisited in the second match from 21:00hrs, when Gold is Money take aim at Leopold Street.
Gold is Money will depend on the likes of Randolph Wagner, Jamal Pedro, Keifer Brandt and Phillip Rowley to shift the balance in their favour while Darren Benjamin, Carl Tudor, Mark Jhalu and Okeene Fraser will be tasked with ensuring a Leopold win.

In the third match, National heavyweight Sparta Boss will oppose the pride of the East Coast of Demerara BV from 22:00hrs. The East La Penitence unit are considered one of the favourites in the event and will be expected to overturn the challenge of their impending opponents, led by their star- studded cast of Gregory Richardson, Sheldon Shepherd, Eusi Phillips and Ryan Hackett.

Meanwhile, the final match of the evening can be described as a virtual final when Bent Street lock horns with Back Circle from 23:00hrs.
For many pundits, Bent Street are viewed as the safe choice for a final-appearance duel, with their plethora of national team players, Daniel Wilson, Clive Nobrega, Pernell Schultz, Akel Clarke and William Europe.

However, Back Circle are giants in their own regard and with the fate of the entire East Ruimveldt community on their shoulders, a clinical showing will be expected from the quintet of Selwyn Williams, Stephon McLean, Jermin Beckles, Delon Kelly and surprise package Trayon Bobb.

According to an official release from tournament coordinator Three Peat Promotions, “The excitement and anticipation in the air and within the respective communities cannot be described. The teams are well oiled and geared to produce thrilling action which will certainly entertain and provide drama for the large spectatorship.”