“n
SAN FRANCISCO DE MACORÍS.- The Metros de Santiago took first place in the elimination phase by defeating the Gigantes del Cibao 89-85, who advanced to the semifinals in second place in the LNB Super League.
n” “nThe Metros, who finished with 19-7, had four players in double figures in points, led by Jhery Matos, who recorded 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, followed by Sterling Manley, who contributed 17 units and 3 rebounds.
n” “nAlso standing out for those from Santiago, who shot 45 percent from the field (33/74), were Anthony Fairley with 14 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists, and Omar Silverio with 13 points.
n” “nFor the Giants (17-9), Charles Brown Jr. finished with 22 points and 7 rebounds; Juan Jr. Rosario recorded a double-double of 13 units and 13 rebounds; Luismal Ferreiras scored 13 and grabbed 4 rebounds.
The Gigantes dominated the first quarter 32-27; however, the Metros, who closed the first 10 minutes very well, took the lead 35-34 at the start of the second period, after a basket by Matos with 8:22 on the clock.
n” “nA pair of dunks by Brown Jr. gave the lead back to the team from San Francisco (43-37), with 5:25 remaining in the second quarter. The Santiago team closed the gap to one (47-46) with a basket by Anthony Fairley, with 1:12 left before halftime, but two free throws by Wright, with 12 seconds on the clock, extended the hosts’ lead to seven (54-47) to secure the first half.
The first two quarters for the Gigantes were led offensively by Brown Jr., who recorded 15 points and 4 rebounds, followed by Ferreiras, with 11 points and 3 boards. Wright contributed 9 units, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals, while Rosario added 9 points and 6 rebounds. For the Metros, Silverio finished with 10 units, Matos contributed 9, and Fairley 7.
More Read
The Metros entered the third period with greater momentum and took the lead (64-58), following a 17-4 run led by Sterling Manley, who sank two free throws with 5:04 remaining. But a three-pointer by Eddy Mercedes, with 2:04 left, returned the lead to the Gigantes (66-64); however, Silverio responded with a long-range shot that gave the lead back to the visitors (67-66), with 1:41 remaining, which allowed them to head into the fourth quarter with a 3-point lead (71-68).
n” “nThe Gigantes tried to limit the Santiago team in the fourth quarter, but they did not give up any space and, with a basket by Matos, they pulled away by seven points (88-81), with 2:17 on the clock, a lead they defended until the end of the game.
n” “nStart of the semifinal
n” “nThis Tuesday, the action of the LNB Super League returns with the start of Semifinal A between the Metros and the Cañeros. The game will be at the Arena Oscar Gobaira at 8:00 at night.
n” “nOn Wednesday, Semifinal B begins with the Giants hosting the Heroes at 8:00 PM at the Mario Ortega Pavilion.
n”
