-
Samuel Pereyra, administrator of BanReservas, prepares to take the honorary kick-off at the opening of the National Basketball League
The Leones de Santo Domingo began the defense of their crown with a 72-62 victory over the Titanes del National District, at the opening of the 2022 season of the National Basketball League (LNB) at Virgilio Travieso Soto.
Juan Guerrero commanded the red attack with 15 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks, while Steven Burtt contributed; 12 units and William Green 10. Keith Jordan Jr. with 14 points and Richard Bautista with 13 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists led the Celestes.
The Lions pitched for 50 percent from the field, compared to 32 for the Titans. In triples, the locals shot 7-18 (38%), although they lost the rebounds 37-41.
A great last quarter in which the offense was well distributed ended. leading the Lions to victory. In that period they scored 13 of the first 17 points, to take advantage of 13 (65-52) with 4:51. The Titans never recovered and the closest they got the rest of the way was 62-70 with 0:51 left. 7 in a first quarter in which the Titans led 16-11, but in the last second, Burtt hit a dunk. a triple with which he also came to 7 points and that he approached 14-16 to the Lions.
With a layup, Guerrero completed a 16-2 rally that put the Reds ahead 30-18 with 1:42 remaining. The Celestes answered with the next four points to put themselves 26-30 with 1:59, but again Burtt scored. three at the end of the period and half were left behind. 35-27.
Burtt (12 points), William Green (5) and Kelechi Ajukwa (5) were the best at halftime for the Lions, who shot 5-for-11 (45%) from 3-point range. Bautista (9) and Jordan Jr. (9) led a Titans that were limited to 30 percent shooting in the first 20 minutes.
The advantage of the Lions rose at 12 (39-27) with 8:15 of the third quarter. Later the Titans went on an 8-2 run and trailed by two (42-44) with 2:33, but the Scarlets kept control and led 52-48 after three periods. /p>
The quarters ended 14-16, 21-11, 17-21 and 20-14 for the Lions.
Recognition to Banreservas and Paralympic athletes< /strong>
Prior to the match, the LNB recognized to the general manager of Banreservas, Samuel Pereyra, for the entity’s contributions to Dominican basketball. Antonio Mir, president of the first division circuit, delivered a plaque of recognition to Pereyra, who thanked for the distinction and exhorted He encouraged fans to support the event.
During halftime, Lions executives led by Joel Lithgow also recognized Paralympic athletes Cristopher Melenciano (athletics) and Geraldo Castro (taekwondo), for their recent achievements at the Deaflympics in Brazil and the Pan American Parataekwondo in Peru, respectively.