The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

DESPITE going in opposite directions at the AF Adderley Gymnasium on Monday night, Mail Boat Cybots and Commonwealth Bank Giants find themselves in the same position in the New Providence Basketball Association men’s semi-final playoff series.

The Cybots, last year’s runners-up, knocked off the Patron Regulators 89-72 to avoid getting swept and now trail 2-1 going into game four tonight. The defending champions Giants, on the other hand, fell 97-94 to the PJ Stingers and they also find themselves on the bubble with a 2-1 deficit.

Cybots 89, Regulators 72

In a balanced scoring attack, the Mail Boat played like they were not quite ready to go home just yet. Eugene Bain came up big with a game high 23 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, two steals and two block shots to lead six Cybots in double figures.

Ernest Saunders had 18 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals, while Brian Bain had 12 points, six rebounds and five assists. Delano Knowles came off the bench and helped out with 12 points and Lerecus Armbrister added 10 points with six rebounds and five assists.

The Mail Boat, coached by Wayde Watson, led 24-11 after the first quarter and 48-24 at the half. They extended their lead to 72-48 at the end of the third.

In a losing effort for Patron, coached by Don Dorsette, Kenneth Pratt scored 19 points with nine rebounds. Carlos Thompson had 14 points and three rebounds, Cordero Thompson had 11 points and 16 rebounds, Cruz Simon also had 11 points off the bench while Gamaeliel Rose had nine points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and six block shots. Deven Johnson added eight points.

Stingers 97, Giants 94

PJ’s regained control of their series as Able Joseph came through to lead their attack.

The Stingers, coached by Lavardo Bowleg, got a game high 30 points with eight rebounds, six assists, four steals and two block shots from Joseph. He was assisted by Batchlette LaFleur with 21 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

Devon Ferguson and Daniel Bullard both scored 11 points, Ian Pinder had nine points and 17 rebounds and Jervonne Atkins helped out with seven points and eight rebounds.

The Giants opened the game by taking a slim 23-20 lead at the end of the first quarter, but they watched as the Stingers rallied to go up 44-37 at the half.

The Giants again surged ahead 72-64 at the end of the third, but the Stingers went on a 33-22 surge in the fourth to seal the comeback win.

Jeffery Henfield came off the bench and scored 22 points with nine rebounds, while Michael Bain had 21 points, four rebounds and four steals. Mark Hanna had 14 points and five rebounds, Denykco Bowles had 10 points and five rebounds off the bench and Kevin Hinsey added nine points and six rebounds.