Guardians experience mixed fortunes – Eagles record first loss

Excitement was in the air, tension was high, and players were poised to play as action continued on Thursday in the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association’s (GABA’s) Under-23 first and second division leagues, sponsored by Banks DIH through the Malta Supreme and Rainforest Waters brands at the Burnham Hard Court in downtown Georgetown.
The night featured a double-header that saw representation from Plaisance Guardians in both the first and second division categories of the tournament. Many may remember Plaisance Guardians from the 2017 tournament, as they were the first runners-up in the first division tournament. However, it was not so this time around, as they lost to Republic Bank Nets 68-61, but recovered in the second division match against the Eagles, winning by a score-line of 80-71.
In the first division leg of the tournament, Plaisance Guardians’ Nikkolai Smith top-scored for the second successive time with 29 points, showing his dominance over the Nets by making light work of their players with consistent three-pointers.
Smith received valuable support from teammate Anton Fileen, who scored 15 points. In the end, however, it was not enough, as Plaisance Guardians suffered a 7-point defeat to the Nets.
Scoring for the Nets were Hodyah Stewart (17), Joe Ifill (15), and skipper Pelham Doris (13), who all made valuable contributions as a unit towards the win for Republic Bank Nets.
In the second division match, which commenced at 19:00hrs, Plaisance Guardians dished out a beating on the Eagles, who lost for the first time in the tournament. This was all thanks to the effort of the Guardians’ skipper, who led from the front with 23 points to help the club get over the line comfortably.
Former national youth player Nigel Bowen chipped in with 18 points.
The Eagles did not go down without a fight though, showing guts in their 9-point defeat, with Sherland Gillis scoring 18 and team captain Kheon Evans assisting with 16.
The action continues this weekend.