Game 2 of the Finals are over, we have some winners, and some exciting game 3s coming up tomorrow.
EBBL
Tide of Fire completed the double as they dispatched Hope Springs in 2 games to claim their 13th EBBL title to go alongside their cup win this season. Tide of Fire won game 2 by 25, 101-76, led by SG Yury Loginov and PF Muoi Le who combined for 53 points. Hope Springs had a promising start to the game as they won the first quarter 31-20, but Tide of Fire dominated the rest of the game to win in comfortable fashion.
Tide of Fire have now won the EBBL title 13 times and 10 cup wins in their franchise history, by far the most successful team in English BB history. This season couldn’t have gone much better for them as they won the double, had a 20-2 league record and went 6-1 in tier 1 BBM tournament… a total of only 4 losses all season in all competitions. Congratulations to Vecx on such a dominant and successful season.
Division II.1
Panathinaikos Bristol picked up maybe the shock of the season as they defeated Falcons Heywood in 2 games to win promotion to the EBBL for the first time in their history. Game 2 will go down in division II.1 history as an all time classic, a double overtime victory for the home team who were led by MVP SG Deniz Ordu who scored 43 points, including the game tying shot with 11 seconds to go in regulation, followed by a crucial defensive stop to save the game. He did have the chance in the first OT period to win the game but came up short on a 3 pointer.
Congratulations to Sakattack on their promotion to the EBBL and good luck in your quest for survival next season.
Division II.2
Leeds City Ballers forced a game 3 tomorrow night as the won 89-76 against Roaring Lions. Leeds switched it up from their usual perimeter based offence but were still led by their MVP SG Daryl Tracy who scored 34 points to go with 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Roaring Lions NT star Simon Redding left the game injured just before halftime but it is hopefully he will be fit to play in the decisive game tomorrow. Both teams have the star power to win, it will be must watch for anyone who is free.
Division II.3
Coventry Phoenix picked up what most consider a shock 118-105 victory over BC Zalgiris to keep their promotion hopes alive. The Phoenix were led by outside trio PG Mick Baxendale (33), SG Andy Tadassa (30) and SF Ling To Wei (27) who scored 90 of Coventry’s 118 points. The game started almost perfect as they led 36-17 after the 1st period and they were able to hold off BC Zalgiris to win. BC Zalgiris will be hoping for a better performance from MVP Tang Kaiyao who only had 15 points on only 10 shots. Maybe the aging Zalgiris team have ran out of steam at the final hurdle?
Division II.4
Bournemouth Drunkers picked the pace of their offence, leading to a successful home court 112-97 victory in game 2 over Bethnal Green Erks. The Drunkers starting lineup dominated with a +/- of between +28 to +12, their bench however wasn’t as successful with some players having -13 score. 6 Drunkers players scored double figures, led by SG Jan Decken who had an efficient 26 points on 10-16 shooting. The Green Erks wing duo of SG Mathew Godfrey-Brown and SF Ernest Breen combined for 55 points and 12 assists but it wasn’t enough to overcome the team effort of the Drunkers. Both teams are fighting hard to get back to the EBBL, and with both teams having the 2nd and 3rd best records over division II, they don’t want to put their promotion hopes down to chance as they battle in game 3 tomorrow night.
Good luck to the 6 teams in Game 3 action tomorrow night.