Atlantic Bank takes on Tuff E’nuff in interoffice basketball finals

Defending Interoffice basketball sub-champions Atlantic Bank are once more in the ‘big dance’ and look forward to their first championship after emerging as bridemaids last year. They won 2-1 in their semi-finals best of 3 game series to eliminated FCIB/Quan’s Trading Co to enter the 2010 Interoffice basketball finals against Tuff e’Nuff at the Belize City Center on Wednesday, August 25.

In Game 1 last Wednesday, August 18, Tuff e Nuff burnt Telemedia ‘Digicell’ 67-55. Ashton Edwards led Tuff e Nuff  with 5 treys for 32pts, while he also grabbed 2 rebounds and 2 steals and dished out an assist. Eugene “Jay” Jex added 8 pts  and grabbed 13 rebounds and a steal by handing off 2 assists. Jamaal Kelly led Digicell with 23 pts and grabbed 7 rebounds and a steal, while Ashley Hemsley hit 4 treys to add 18 pts while grabbing 8 rebounds and 3 steals, also handing out 2 assists.

In Game 2, First Caribbean / Quan’s continued their undefeated wining streak by a 62-58 win over Atlantic Bank. Jacob ‘Snake’ Leslie led First Caribbean with 22 pts and grabbed 5 rebounds and 4 steals while dishing out 2 assists. Jerome ‘Penny’ Ellis tossed in 9 pts and grabbed 6 rebounds and 3 steals, while handing out 2 assists. Atlantic Bank’s Leon ‘Bigs’ Williams scored 17 pts, and grabbed 15 rebounds while handing out 2 assists, and Jemaine Tillett added 10 pts and snagged 7 rebounds and 2 steals.

Atlantic Bank exacted payback big time on Friday in a 62-47 blowout of First Caribbean / Quan’s. Ian ‘Penny’ Ferrera led Atlantic Bank with 15 pts capturing one rebound and handing out 2 assists, while Hector Locke added 13 pts and grabbed 6 rebounds dishing out an assist. Shamir Martinez led First Caribbean with 13 points and 6 rebounds also stealing the ball once, but their star shooter Jacob ‘Snake’ Leslie was shut down to only 7 pts while grabbing 3 rebounds and 3 steals and handing out 2 assists.

In Game 2 Tuff e Nuff secured their berth in the finals by a convincing 64-53 win over Telemedia ‘Digicell. Tuff e Nuff’s Tyrone ‘Joka’ Edwards scored 24 pts and grabbed one rebound while dishing out 5 assists. Baby brother Ashton Edwards added 22 pts and grabbed 5 rebounds and 4 steals. Lupito Acosta led Digicell with 12 pts grabbing 2 rebounds and 2 steals, and Jamaal Kelly added 11 pts and grabbed 2 rebounds and a steal, while handing out 2 assists.

On Sunday, Atlantic Bank upset FCIB/Quan’s Trading Company 69-68 in overtime in a decisive Game 3 to clinch their place in the finals. Andrew ‘Head’ Staine led Atlantic Bank with 23 pts, while grabbing 2 rebounds and 2 steals, and handing off 2 assists.. Justin Wade added11 pts and snagged 4 rebounds and dished out an assist. First Caribbean’s Jacob ‘Snake’ Leslie scored 20 pts and grabbed 4 rebounds and 2 steals, while handing off 3 assists. Jerome ‘Penny’ Ellis added 17 pts, also grabbing 2 rebounds and 3 steals.

Atlantic Bank continues to defy the standings with their second upset of the playoffs to move on to face Tuff e Nuff in the Championship Series.  Although they go into the Championships as the top seeded team by virtue of their win over the the #1 seeded team, they lost to Tuff e Nuff during the regular season 67 to 64 in overtime, which dropped them to No.3 seed in their division.  They must avenge their loss, to prove Tuff e Nuff are not so tough.The fianls continue on Friday 27 August at 7:00 pm at City Center

Game 1 – Telemedia ‘Digicell’ vs First Caribbean / Quan’s – 3rd Place Game

Game 2 – Tuff e Nuff vs Atlantic Bank.

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