Posted: Saturday, September 6, 2025. 5:28 am CST.
Arik Nicholas led the Western Ballaz with 25 points and 14 rebounds. File Photo: Shot by Iz
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Cayo Western Ballaz defended home court in dramatic fashion Friday night, edging the Belize City Thunderbolts 86–83 in Game 1 of the BPBL Mayan Cup Finals at the Sacred Heart College Auditorium.
Arik Nicholas led the Ballaz with 25 points and 14 rebounds, combining power and poise in the paint. Jamell Harris added 22 points and nine boards, while D’von Campbell and Joel Montejo chipped in 12 and 10 respectively. The Ballaz converted 18 of 27 free throws to maintain their edge in crunch time.
Despite trailing early, the Thunderbolts surged in the second quarter behind Tyrone Hall and MVP Glency Lopez, who dropped 19 and 14 points respectively off the bench. Matthew Young battled inside for a double-double, posting 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Victor Evans added 12 points and six assists. Belize City controlled the glass, out-rebounding the Western Ballaz 58-54, but late turnovers and missed free throws (10/25) proved costly.
The Ballaz led by as many as nine and held off a final Thunderbolt push in the closing minutes. Their defensive discipline and playoff experience showed, especially in the fourth quarter where they sealed the win with clutch rebounding and timely stops.
With the victory, Cayo takes a 1–0 lead in the best-of-three series. Game 2 heads to the Belize City Civic Center on Sunday, September 7 at 5:00 pm, where the Thunderbolts will look to even the series and force a decisive Game 3 back in San Ignacio.
Earlier in the evening, the San Pedro Tiger Sharks claimed Game 1 of the Toucan Cup Finals, defeating the EZ Investments Dangriga Dream Ballers 84–73 at the Civic Center. Jihad Wright led San Pedro with 17 points and eight assists, while Tyrell Griffith added 15 off the bench. The Tiger Sharks dominated the paint and transition, setting the tone for a physical series.
With both conference finals underway, the race to the BPBL Jaguars Cup Final is heating up—and Belize’s top clubs are leaving it all on the floor.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.
© 2025, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.
The post Western Ballaz hold off Thunderbolts 86–83 in BPBL Mayan Cup Finals opener appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Saturday, September 6, 2025. 5:28 am CST. Arik Nicholas led the Western Ballaz with 25 points and 14 rebounds. File Photo: Shot by Iz By
The post Western Ballaz hold off Thunderbolts 86–83 in BPBL Mayan Cup Finals opener appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.