Exciting Weekend of Basketball Sets the Stage for Round 3 in MOMENTUM

In the early match on Saturday (May 25th), New Age Lions faced an uphill battle against the in-form Maloney Pacers in their Pool B Round 2 matchup. As anticipated, Pacers started strong, but New Age struggled to keep pace, trailing 34-12 by the end of the first quarter.

Quarter 2 saw a similar pattern, with Pacers easing slightly but still outpacing the Lions 20-14, bringing the halftime score to 54-26. Pacers piled on the pressure in the third quarter, led by Leshaun Alfred, who delivered an outstanding performance with 42pts, 3asts, 16rebs & 4blks. Despite the Lions' incremental improvement, with Israel Sylvester notching 18ptts, 2asts, 10rebs & 1stl, there was little doubt surrounding the outcome. Pacers' 17-15 fourth-quarter run sealed a decisive 101-59 victory.

In the second fixture, New Chapter Academy and Point Fortin Veterans faced off, each aiming to take the top spot in Pool A. NCA found their rhythm first, opening up a small gap early in the 1st quarter, but the Veterans battled back to take a slender 18-21 lead into the break. The match remained intense, with both teams trading baskets throughout the second quarter.

NCA capitalized on a slight dip in the Veterans' energy to outscore their opponents 19-14, taking a 37-35 lead by halftime. Jovan George (20pts, 10rebs & 2stls) provided the spark for NCA in the third quarter, with NCA edging the Veterans 20-19. The Veterans' floor general, Jason Friday, had an outstanding performance with 20pts, 4ats, 4rebs, 2stls & 1blk. However, a hamstring injury limited his contributions at the end of the third quarter and parts of the fourth, giving NCA a chance to pull away. With a 22- 18 trade-off in the final quarter, NCA secured a 79-72 victory.

On Sunday, needing a win to stay in the hunt for a knockout spot, Spartans showed their determination right from the start, dominating the first quarter with a 9-31 run. Despite Royalty increasing their scoring in the second quarter, Spartans matched their intensity 29-47, resulting in a commanding (40 point lead) 38-78 at halftime. Royalty fought valiantly in the third quarter, outscoring Spartans 25-15, much to the delight of their supporters. Esan Babb stood out for Royalty with 11pts, 3asts, 12rebs & 7stls. In the final quarter, Spartans sealed their convincing win with a 20-16 performance, finishing the game 81-113. Idris Martin was instrumental for Spartans, contributing 37pts, 4asts, 4rebs & 2stls.

The final game of the weekend saw Coach KG Elite triumph over Matthew Pierre Basketball Academy. Elite started strong, scoring 12 points before Matthew Pierre registered their first basket. However, the Mayaro club closed the gap to 21-18 by the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, Elite pulled ahead with a 29-point haul, led by Jaden Roberts, who had a standout performance with 25pts, 4asts, 7rebs & 5stls. The defending champions struggled, managing only 9 points in response. The third quarter was more balanced with Elite scoring 22 points and Matthew Pierre adding 21. Despite Matthew Pierre edging Elite 25-23 in the fourth quarter, the early dominance secured Elite a 92-73 victory.

In Pool B, both Maloney Pacers and Elite have qualified for the Final 4 but will clash on June 2nd to establish 1st and 2nd in the Pool.

With various outcomes still possible in Pool A, tensions will be high heading into Round 3. NCA's two wins put them in a strong position, with a victory in their final Pool A game securing them the top spot. However, a loss could complicate their standing depending on other results. For the Veterans, a win in their next game is crucial for their advancement. If they fail to win, they could still qualify but would rely on other results and point differentials. If Point Fortin wins, Spartans could still qualify with a win against NCA by 12 or more points. Royalty could cause a major upset by clinching 2nd place in Pool A if they beat Point Fortin by 25 points or more while hoping Spartans lose to NCA.

Source: Momentum The Invitation Press Release