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Gillis heroics save Pacesetters ‘A’ from elimination
– unbeaten Slash also through to Round-of-16
By Edison Jefford
There is one reason Pacesetters ‘A’ Team will continue to play for the $1M winner-take-all first place prize that is up for grabs in the Mackeson Smooth Moves 3-on-3 Basketball Challenge, and that reason is national shooting guard, Steffon Gillis.
Pacesetters ‘A’ was staring down the barrels of elimination twice Tuesday night when the event continued at the California Square Court in East Ruimveldt, but Gillis’ shooting prowess brought the defending champs back into contention
Steffon Gillis
not once, but twice.
Facing Republic Bank Nets in the second game of the night, Pacesetters ‘A’ found themselves in an unusual position, down 7-10 with two minutes left in the second half. Gillis with barely a look at the ring released a missile from downtown to draw within a point (a three-pointer in the 3-on-3 version of basketball accounts for two points according to FIBA rules).
Pacesetters then retrieved possession, after Nets failed to convert, and Gillis again with a hand in his face, loosed another big shot from downtown that gave his team an 11-10 lead, which became the final score. Gillis’ heroics got Pacesetters ‘A’ off to a perfect start.
Pacesetters were forced to play from behind after losing its starting forward, Royston Siland with gash just under his right eye. Siland is the team-rebounder and presence in the paint. His absence made Nets the bigger team with Mortimer Williams and Fabian Johnson.
But Nets just could not hang on for the win in the face of Gillis sharp-shooting onslaught. Then it was South All-Stars who continued the misfortune for Nets with an 8-7 win after a shootout from a 7-7 regulation time finish. South All-Stars had earlier lost the opening game to Slash 6-7. Their win against Nets made Pacesetters ‘A’ and Slash the top teams in the group.
Even though Siland showed some guts when he returned from taking treatment for his eye injury, Pacesetters ‘A’ were completely outplayed against Slash, losing 10-13 with Slash’s guards, Jason Squires and Aubrey Younge manipulating possession to hold on to the ball for prolonged periods of time.
Slash then beat Nets 10-9, scoring their free throw in the shootout after a 9-9 stalemate, to end the group unbeaten.
The Pacesetters ‘A’ versus South All-Stars game was set as a must-win for both teams to decide which of the two teams will join Slash in the National Round-of-16 next week. It was Gillis who answered the call again and lifted his team into the deciding round.
Trailing 12-13 in the final minute of the usual 15-minute game with two 7½-minute periods, the shooting guard nailed a huge dagger from beyond the arc with 30 seconds left in the game to put his team up 14-13, which squeezed out South All-stars from contention.
Pacesetters’ ‘A’ Team guard, Travis Burnett beats
Slash’s entire defence and goes up for a right-handed put-back off the glass Tuesday night in the Mackeson Smooth Moves 3-on-3 Basketball in East Ruimveldt.
Meanwhile, the Mackeson Smooth Moves 3-on-3 Basketball Championships will continue at the Independence Boulevard Basketball Court in Albouystown where two more teams will qualify in the Round-of-16 in the Georgetown Zone. Those teams competing for the spots include Mcdoom Kings, Colts, Pitbulls and Eagles.
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