A new champion will be crowned when the Hoop of Life Community Basketball League, climaxes at the end of September.
Reigning champion team La Romaine Jet Stars failed to defend their title after they were beaten in a very exciting game played on the Train Line in Marabella on Saturday night.
With over 500 fans in the stands cheering every basket scored at the Bayshore Basketball Court, Marabella United defeated La Romaine 98-94. The win proved that Marabella's 23-point victory in the second round of the preliminaries was no fluke. The teams share that two-match series 1-1.
Marabella which was beaten by Laventille at the quarter-final stage last season now awaits the winner of the Diego Martin/San Juan clash which takes place tonight at the San Juan Hill basketball Court from 7:30 pm.
La Romaine which placed fourth in 2012, led for the first three quarters 28-21, 47-40 at half-time and 69-68 as the third session closed. The prolific scorer and team leader Ako Pascal gave the home-team a 91-90 lead after the teams traded baskets for almost eight minutes, before he scored four of his team's final six points to finish with a game-high 40 points.
Louis Davis put on a three-point shooting clinic with five three in his 17 points production during limited playing time and Michael Pantin added 11 in his usual quiet way.
For La Romaine point-guard Adrain Joseph led his team's quest with 26 points while playing the fourth quarter with four fouls, Lester Edwards added 20 and Derrick Boxill scored 18, a disappointing performance by his standards taking into consideration the nature of the contest.
In the other match, Sangre Grande tamed Mason Hall.
Jeffrey Harris scored 14 of his game-high 23 points in the second half which helped Sangre Grande United to a 75-65 win.
Sangre Grande which led 40-35 at the interval also got 20 valuable points from Mikahail Williams, while forwards Andrew Phillip and Taj Penn netted 16 and 10 points respectively for the host.
Sangre Grande's next opponent will either be Bethel, the last Tobago representative team alive or Maloney, the 2013 losing finalist. Maloney host Bethel tonight (Monday) at Maloney and jump-ball is 7:30 pm.
Laventille and Caledonia advances to the last eight
Former champion team Laventille United turned back a gamed La Horquetta outfit 82-61 after leading 43-24 at half-time at St Barb's Basketball Court, Laventille on Saturday night.
Point-guard Orlando Mapp helped himself to 25 points and centre Ashton DuMurrell dropped in 16 from the centre-court position to deny their opponents an upset victory.
For the visitors Hailan St Bernard and Ernesto Romain took the challenge to the host with 19 and 17 points respectively.
In Valencia, Caledonia, which qualified for the last two Big-Four playoffs, outplayed the host 89-74.
groups:
GROUP 1: Marabella, La Romaine, Moriah, Diego Martin, Petit Valley, San Juan
GROUP 2: Valencia, Caledonia, Tunapuna, Siparia, Penal, Rio Claro
GROUP 3: Laventille, La Horquetta, Longdenville, Enterprise, Gonzales, La Brea.
GROUP 4: Mason Hall, Guayaguayare, Sangre Grande, Bethel, Canaan, Maloney
fixtures:
Today (Matches)
San Juan v Diego Martin United at San Juan, 7:30 pm
Rio Claro v Siparia at Rio Claro, 7:30 pm
La Brea v Enterprise at La Brea, 7:30 pm
Maloney v winner Bethel/Canaan Bon Accord, Maloney, 8 pm
Quarter-final Match-ups 2014
Marabella v winner San Juan / Diego Martin United
Caledonia v winner Rio Claro /Siparia
Laventille v winner La Brea /Enterprise
Sangre Grande v winner Maloney / Bethel
Quarter-finals:
Quarter-final Match-ups 2014
Marabella v winner San Juan / Diego Martin United
Caledonia v winner Rio Claro /Siparia
Laventille v winner La Brea /Enterprise
Sangre Grande v winner Maloney / Bethel