Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) played with resilience and discipline as they held off Sangre All Stars in a pulsating final to win the Premier Division championship title of the 2014 bpTT Mayaro Basketball League competition at the Mayaro Indoor Sport Facility on Sunday.
Although Police led throughout the match, Sangre Grande tied the scores three times in the fourth quarter but were unable to surge ahead as Police ran out winners, 63 points to 58.
Two other finals were decided on Sunday. Rio Raptors overwhelmed NDS Ambassadors, 91-76 to take the Community League championship crown, while Sangre Grande Young Stars also had an easy victory, brushing aside Port of Spain Trailblazers, 91-72, to be crowned Under-21 League champions.
Launched last year, the bpTT Mayaro Basketball League represents a revival of competitive basketball in the community after an absence of 10 years. Sponsored by energy company BP Trinidad and Tobago, the league is run by South Corner Basketball Foundation (SCBF).
At the prize distribution function held immediately after the finals, Matthew Pierre, community liaison officer, bpTT, said he was pleased to see that the SCBF had taken up the mantle to revive basketball in the south-eastern communities.
“BPTT is proud to partner with the SCBF to give basketball in Mayaro a new lease on life. We are happy about the format which focuses on the youth and community teams. I am also thinking about reviving the Matthew Pierre Basketball Foundation to develop proper training techniques for the various elements, like defence, in the sport,” said Pierre, a former standout national player.
Honour Roll: [Premier League]
Champions: Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS); 2nd: Sangre Grande All Stars; 3rd: Valencia Ballers
Most Valuable Player (MVP): Phillip Alexander (TTPS)
Most Points: Mikahail Williams (Sangre Grande All Stars) – 110
Most Three-Pointers: Ronel Winter (Police) – 12
Community League
Champions: Rio Raptors; 2nd: NDS Ambassadors; 3rd: Backstreet Boyz
Most Valuable Player (MVP): Jesse Hamilton (NDS Ambassadors)
Most Points: Kerwin Lares (Rio Raptors) - 160
Most Three-Pointers: Keron Powtan (Mayaro Boys) – 10
Under-21 League
Champions: Sangre Grande Young Stars: 2nd: Port of Spain Trailblazers
Most Valuable Player (MVP): Ivan Williams (Sangre Grande Young Stars)
Most Points: Jalani Mapp (Port of Spain Trailblazers) – 92
Most Three-Pointers: Javani Andrews (Port of Spain Trailblazers) – 9.