The University of Guyana finished top of the class, edging out the previously undefeated Government Technical Institute in the closing minutes of the final period to take the first-ever Tertiary Basketball League title to the Turkeyen Campus.
Playing in front of an almost full Cliff Anderson Sports Hall crowd, which included the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr. and Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, the University team held their nerves for a 69-66 win on Sunday evening.
Shaquawn Gill, who walked away with the Fireside Grill and Suites MVP trophy and a pair of sneakers, finished with 14 points, and 10 rebounds for an overall tournament average of 25.6 points, and 12. 4 rebounds.
However, he got some much-needed help in the finals from the talented Timothy Richmond (17 points, 10 rebounds), Thariq Duncan (12 points, six rebounds) and Craig Harlequin (eight points, and 15 rebounds).
For GTI, Royon Shortt top scored with 20 points and seven rebounds, but missed seven critical free throws down the stretch. Josiah Roberts had 17 points, including five threes, and Kobe Tappin finished with an uncharacteristically meager 11 points and five rebounds.
In the third-place game, the New Amsterdam Technical Institute edged the Linden Technical Institute 67-66 points to take some hardware back to the Ancient County.
Charles Williams led with 21 points and eight rebounds, Kadeem Dover scored 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Qwesi Joseph chipped in with nine points, and 11 rebounds.
For LTI, Shamar Savory finished with 22 points and 15 rebounds, Jemol Semple scored 18 points, and Gaius George 14.
Following the game, Minister Ramson Jr. congratulated the teams for their effort and also the organisers for the successful staging of the inaugural Tertiary Basketball League, after which he along with the Director of Sport presented first and second place awards.
The third-place award was presented by Edward B. Beharry and Company Brand Manager, Malisa Jeffers.
The Tertiary Basketball League was sponsored by the National Sports Commission, ExxonMobil, G-Boat Guyana, Edward B. Beharry and Company Limited, Fireside Grill and Suites, and Banks DIH Limited.