Relying on a devastating offense, the Gigantes Basketball Club beat the Metros de Santiago 114-100 at the Oscar Gobaira Arena, in a match corresponding to the elimination phase of La SLNB Super League.
Charles Brown Jr. scored 31 points, 7 rebounds, stole 3 balls and shot 12-for-21 for the Giants who improved their record to 17-8. Luismal Ferreiras had 22 points with 15 sacks, 3 assists and 3 steals, while Francis King Fitzgerald added 21 points and Frankyn Batista 15 with 8 sacks.
For the Metros, who remain in first place with a record of 18-7, Adris De León left with 16 points, 6 assists and 2 steals, while Raymer Santana and Troy Cracknell contributed 12 points each. Sterling Manley, Brahiam Méndez and Omar Silverio added 10 points each.
The Giants shot 49 percent from the field, who also converted 26 of 30 free throws (87%). Their defense caused 16 losses to the Metros, although the Franco-Macorisans gave up 20 turnovers. The locals had a poor night in triples, nailing only 3 of 22 attempts (13%). The rebounds favored the winners 47-34.
The Giants dominated a very offensive first quarter with a score of 32-26, with 11 points from King Fitzgerald and 7 from Brown Jr. De León scored 11 points and Jordan Hall 5 for the Metros.
In the second quarter, Juan Jr. Rosario grabbed an offensive rebound and scored two points, leading the Giants 41-29 with 6:23. The Metros reacted and got within 42-46 with 2:34, but the Giants scored 10 of the next 12 points and won the first half 56-44.
Brown Jr. scored 17 points in the first 20 minutes of action for the Giants. Ferreiras scored 12 and King Fitzgerald 11. De León scored 11 points, Manley 8 and Hall 7, on the Metros side.
In the third quarter, the Giants continued to take advantage of the Metros’ mistakes and built a huge lead. When Batista scored a three-pointer with 1:33, the lead rose to 94-62. At that moment the quarter was 38-18.
Part of the advantage built by the Giants was from the line of free throws, a product of technical fouls and expulsions of Jordan Gerónimo and assistant Joel Ramírez. The Santiago bench also received a technical foul. The score read 96-70 after three periods.
There was a reaction from the Metros in the last quarter, but not enough to put the advantage of the Franco-Macorisans at risk. The closest the yellows got in the fourth half was 94-106.
The sets concluded 32-26, 24-18, 40-26 and 18-30 for those led by Víctor Peña.
With the result, Gigantes and Metros will play again on Sunday at the Mario Ortega Pavilion to define first place.
