Late drama, twin towers rise as Police clip Morvant Oilbirds in NBFTT thriller

If there was ever a reminder that games aren’t won until the final horn sounds, Friday night at the Pleasantville Indoor Complex on 23 January delivered it in bold, unforgiving fashion.

Police leaned on poise, power and clutch execution down the stretch to edge Morvant Oilbirds 86–82 in a tense National Basketball Federation of Trinidad & Tobago (NBFTT) Club Championship clash that swung back and forth for four gripping quarters.

The opening half set the tone for the drama to come. Police struck first, taking the opening quarter 20–18, but Oilbirds answered with urgency in the second, edging ahead 23–20 to carry a slim advantage into the halftime break. Neither side blinked in the third, trading baskets in a deadlocked 23–23 stanza that left the contest hanging in the balance heading into crunch time.

Then came the chaos and excitement as fans were left standing.

Oilbirds briefly seized control when Obel Guerra calmly buried two free throws to push his team ahead 82–80, sending their bench into celebration. But the moment was fleeting. Fabrice Fisher, who carried Police all night, responded with ice in his veins, knocking down a crucial bucket to level the game at 82–82.

From there, Police’s “twin towers” took over.

Jesse Hamilton muscled his way to the rim for a decisive layup, giving Police the lead for good at 84–82, before Don Wilkinson sealed the result at the line after an Oilbirds foul. Oilbirds had two late chances to flip the script, but questionable shot selection and poor clock management — a recurring theme — proved costly. It marked the third straight game Oilbirds surrendered in the closing seconds.

Guerra poured in a game-high 31 points for Oilbirds, with Antonio Ambris adding 21 and Tehrek Scott chipping in 11, but it wasn’t enough to stop the slide as Oilbirds fell to a 0–3 record.

Police, meanwhile, showcased balance and resilience. Fisher led the charge with 29 points, Hamilton added 16, Nathyon Lewis scored 15, and Reynnard Semurath finished with 11 as Police improved to 3–1 on the season.

Ansa Stars Shine Early

In the opening game of the night, Ansa Stars delivered a strong second-half performance to secure a 75–65 win over Quarters United.

After a tight first half — Ansa led 23–19 before Quarters rallied 16–11 in the second — the Stars exploded in the third quarter, outscoring Quarters 26–12 to seize control. They did just enough in the fourth to keep the lead intact.

Kevin Sargant was unstoppable, erupting for a game-high 34 points, while Adrian Joseph added 14. Ako Pascall led Quarters with 16.

The win lifted Ansa to 2–2, while Quarters slipped to 1–3.

Elite survive late scare, Pacers run rampant

Maloney Indoor Complex — January 24

Over at the Maloney Indoor Complex, the drama continued — and the fireworks were just as loud.

Southside Elite remained unbeaten, but not without a scare, escaping with an 89–87 victory over Straker Nets in a nail-biter that wasn’t decided until the final seconds.

Straker led early (20–16 after one), before both teams locked in defensively to end the half dead even at 40–40. The Nets carried a narrow edge into the fourth (63–62), setting the stage for a frantic finish.

With the game on the line, Jason Friday delivered once again, drilling a clutch two-pointer to put Elite ahead 88–87, before Tyrek Singh calmly sank a free throw to seal it.

Friday was sensational, pouring in 37 points, supported by Jelani Valley (20), Clint Graham (14) and Singh (13). Straker was powered by Saqiki Guerra and Chike Augustine with 22 points apiece, while Allister Martin and Triston Benjamin added 14 each.

Elite improved to 3–0, while Straker dropped to 1–2.

Pacers dominate in statement win

In the nightcap, Lead Leads Maloney Pacers left no doubt, dismantling Defense Force in a one-sided 110–64 blowout.

Pacers set the tone early, racing to a stunning 32–5 first-quarter lead and never looking back. By halftime, the damage was done (56–19), and the gap only widened as the game progressed.

Ahkeel Boyd led the balanced Pacers attack with 21 points, followed by Ranaldinlo Esjes (17) and Shakiel Bertrand (15). Lashawn Alfred, Kanjie George and Emperier Phillips each chipped in 14. Defense Force was led by Zion Nicholas and Jeviviah Celestine, who scored 11 apiece.

The win pushed Pacers to 3–1, while Defense Force slipped to 1–3.

From buzzer-beaters to blowouts, the NBFTT Club Championships continue to deliver high drama — and if these nights are any indication, the race is only just heating up.