LABA Basketball Festival...Rain suspends competition

LABA Basketball Festival…Rain suspends competition

Aug 24, 2008 Sports

By Edison Jefford
The two first round games and semi–final playoff of the ongoing Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) Basketball Festival scheduled for Thursday and Friday nights were suspended yesterday.

LABA General Secretary, Joe Chapman told Kaieteur Sport that the first round games were re–scheduled to Friday this week while the dates for the semi–final are yet to be ascertained from the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC).

“Rain fell on both nights (Thursday and Friday). We have planned the first round games for Friday. We had that date before but we have to talk with the sports club (MSC) to get additional dates,” Chapman informed.

He said that Carifesta activities are likely to impact the future of the championships but the organisers, Elite Promotions Incorporated, are trying to get the matches off to coincide with the Caribbean festival.

Patriots were down to play Kashif and Shanghai Kings in game one Wednesday night while Victory Valley Royals would have contested game two against Alleyne’s Retrieve Raiders in the two first round games.

However, rain tentatively reset those games for Thursday night but inclement weather on Friday again forced the LABA along with the promoters to put off the games until this Friday.

Chapman had told this paper on Wednesday that they were hoping to bring the event schedule back on course by having the first round games play Thursday night and the semi–final Friday night.

“Once we play the games tomorrow (Thursday night), we will be back on track for Friday. It’s just that teams may have to play back–to–back,” Chapman had said, adding that the teams were informed last week.

Wismar Pistons and Jets have already advanced to the semi–final stage after wins on the opening night last Monday.

The two teams eliminated New Ballers and Glands Trucking Service Bulls in the process.
The first place team takes home $80,000 while second and third places get $40,000 and $20,000 respectively. This is the first major basketball promotion for Elite Inc. after the New Era Tournament fell through this year.