THE 2018 Commercial Basketball League (CBL) organized by the Saint Lucia Basketball Federation in collaboration with Saint Lucia Sports online served-off last evening at the Beausejour Indoor Facility with a double-header.
A number of players who represented Saint Lucia at the Caribbean Basketball qualifiers in Suriname will be on show in this year’s tournament.
In the night opener, the 2017 champions PCD with Troy and Andre Louison (brothers), Ryan Headley and Ali Quinlan in their lineup took on Saint Lucia Teachers Union led by Nigel Francis; Francis had alongside him LanseProspere, Tristan James and Kevin Mathurin.
In the second encounter Financial Services with the versatile SharmoirJn Baptiste and Kurt Hyacinth took on Sandals Blazers with Kieron Walcott, Keegan Preville and Simeon Medard, just to name a few of the players that were on show.
Results of the two matches mentioned above will be in the VOICE Tuesday 4th September edition.
Matches will continue on Wednesday 5th – from 6.00 p.m. Saint Lucia Teachers Union (SLTU) will play Media. The last time the two teams met, the Media won a nail biting encounter 59-58.
The second encounter on the evening starts at 8.00 p.m. with a battle of the hospitality industry; Sandals Resort will fancy their chances against first timers, Royalton with Wenal Alfred, Abdulla Gideon, Johnny Solomon, Aldric George and Kevin Lesporis in their lineup.
On Thursday 6th, one game is on the card, from 7.00 p.m. a clash of the law enforcers, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force and the Saint Lucia Fire Service. In their opening game last year, SLFS defeated RSLPF 54-40.
The 10 participating teams are placed in two groups – Group A: Peter and Company Distribution (PCD), Saint Lucia Teachers Union, CSA, WASCO and Media. Group B: Financial Services, Sandals Resorts, Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, Saint Lucia Fire Service and Royalton.
SLBF General Secretary, Velica Augustin spoke to the VOICE, and this is what she had to say. “This year’s tournament SLBF would like members of the public and especially employees of the various business houses to come out and support their respective teams and the sport of basketball”.
She continued, “A few teams have changed personnel in terms of players moving around; it’s a first for Royalton and a second showing for WASCO. The stalwarts, the Saint Lucia Fire Service and the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force were the initial first and second year champions and this time around they are looking to regain the championship”.
“Despite the friendly rivalry, SLBF expects to see a high level of basketball on centre court throughout the championship. The quarterfinal is scheduled for Friday 27th and Saturday 28th October for the semifinal, third place silverware and finals, a date will be announced in the coming days”.
Meanwhile, the SLBF recently concluded its Celebrity Fundraising Event where Team Scady played Team Ted. When the dust settled and the final whistle blown Team Ted emerged victorious winning a thriller 52-50.
The game MVP selected by fans votes was Glenn Antoine.
SLBF took the opportunity to thank its partners and sponsors who made the event a success, Acid Kreationz, Blazin FM, Vybe Radio, Youth SPAC, Flow, Super malt, Carib Beer, Peter and Company Distribution, Climax, Blue Waters, Courtesy Car Rentals and Carib Live for their contribution.
