“From Mecca to Mackenzie” Basketball Playoff continues momentum

“From Mecca to Mackenzie” Basketball Playoff continues momentum – GABF President

Apr 01, 2014 Sports

Following the successful hosting of the National Basketball Club Championships at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in Georgetown, the six best teams in the competition will relive the euphoria Saturday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Court in Linden.
Labeled ‘From Mecca to Mackenzie’ Basketball Playoffs, the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) has sanctioned the one-night contest on Saturday, stating that two notable developments are expected to

Flashback! MVP of the finals, Dominic Vincente (left) during the Final at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on March 23. Vincente will be in action in Linden Saturday night taking on Dwight McKinnon (#7) and others from Retrieve Raiders.

emanate from the competition.
“Two positives are noted from the scheduling of this event: (1) Those who reside in Linden will have an opportunity to see the very best clubs from Georgetown play premier basketball clubs in Linden,” GABF President, Nigel Hinds said in giving the event his blessing.
According to Hinds, the Linden clubs will have “home advantage”. The Georgetown Clubs will travel to Linden to take on Linden’s best. The aim is to give Linden an opportunity to support its teams in entertaining rematches, similarly to the way the Georgetown teams were supported at the Sports Hall.
“From Mecca to Mackenzie Basketball Playoffs” will build on the positives and the momentum achieved during the “Road to Mecca” National Basketball Club Championships held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall,” was the other positive Hinds highlighted.
Popularly known as the Mecca of local basketball, the Sports Hall, the fame shifts to MSC for an enthralling night of competition that features the National Championship Game rematch, Ravens taking on Linden’s Retrieve Raiders in the final game of the night.
The night’s proceedings is scheduled to start at 7pm with Linden’s Kings coming up against the Trinity Grid Holdings (TGH) Pacesetters, which will be a battle among the number one ranked teams in Linden and Georgetown, according to both Leagues.
However, Kings and Pacesetters finished outside of the Final Four, losing in the quarterfinals of the National Club Championships. What a game to start the night! Rivalries from the get-go with two familiar foes renewing an old grudge that dates back to years.
Following that game, Georgetown’s Colts take on Amelia’s Ward Jets in a replay of the third place game from the National Championship; the game is scheduled for 8:30pm as the main encounter comes up at 10pm between Ravens and Raiders.
As part of the policy of the Guyana Basketball Officials’ Council (GBOC), all games will start on time with teams being asked to be at the venue an hour before. Failure to comply with GBOC rules could result in teams forfeiting games.
Comedian, Chow Pow will host the halftime shows with the “GABF taking this opportunity to wish Sports Management Inc. (the group hosting the event) a successful venture.” $50,000 will be up for grabs in each of the three games, winner-takes-all. The big question will be: Can Georgetown beat Linden in Linden?