Metros and Gigantes Take Game 1 Wins as the LNB Semifinals Open

The Super Liga LNB semifinals got under way with a pair of one-possession finishes, as Metros de Santiago leaned on their defense to edge Caneros del Este and Gigantes BC survived a thriller against Heroes de Moca.
In the Semifinal A opener at the Gran Arena in Santiago, Metros beat Caneros del Este 69-63, with debutant Juan Guerrero (203-PF-1993) settling a tight contest. His three-pointer at the expiry of the shot clock put Metros ahead 67-63 with 28.3 seconds left. Defense was the difference for the hosts: they held Caneros to just 26 points across the final two quarters and blanked Yeison Colome (190-SG-1996) in the second half. Jhery Matos (196-SG-1996, college: Charlotte) led Metros with 19 points and eight rebounds, Jordan Hall (203-G/F-2002, college: St.Joseph's) added 14, and Guerrero finished with 10 points and nine rebounds. Marvin Smith (198-F-1995, college: UNCG) Jr. paced Caneros with 20 including a halfcourt-beating three at the end of the second quarter with Yeison Colome adding 12 and Raymon Bastardo (203-F/C-2002) 11. Caneros had led 37-34 at the break before the Santiago defense took over. Game 2 is Thursday at 8 p.m. at the Polideportivo Eleoncio Mercedes in La Romana.
In the Semifinal B opener at the Polideportivo Mario Ortega in San Francisco de Macoris, Gigantes BC held off Heroes de Moca 107-106 in a high-scoring nail-biter. The hosts built their cushion early, leading after every quarter, and just survived a 26-point final period from Moca. Charles Brown Jr. (198-F-1997, college: St.Joseph's) and Luismal Ferreiras (200-PF-2003) led the way with 30 points apiece Ferreiras adding 20 rebounds while Francis Fitzgerald chipped in 20. Kevin Obanor (203-F-1999, college: Texas Tech) (29 points, 13 rebounds) and Mychael Henry (23) led Heroes de Moca in defeat.