By Neto Baptiste
Spanish Heat, for a second straight game, were too good for Rebels as they rallied to a 79-70 triumph in game two of their best of five Division 2 playoffs finals, in the Antigua and Barbuda Basketball Association (ABBA) competition at the JSC basketball complex on Sunday night.
Rebels cliched the opening quarter 17-16 before Spanish Heat rebounded to outscore their opponents 26-19 in the second quarter an d18-14 in the third. Rebels claimed the fourth and final quarter 20-19 but it was not enough to help them level the series after Spanish Heat took game one by a 79-69 margin last week.
Jesus Emmanuel was the chief architect for Spanish Heat with 21 points, five rebounds and four assists. There were 15 points each from Wilkin Floyd and Erwin Rodriguez respectively. Floyd also grabbed 10 rebounds and dished six assists while Rodriguez had five rebounds. Ismael Palemo contributed with 14 points and a game-high of 28 rebounds.
In a losing effort, Buell Henry top-scored with 14 points while grabbing 20 rebounds. There were 13 and 12 points respectively from Ryan Noel and Kirwan Peterson. Noel also grabbed nine rebounds while Peterson picked up five rebounds and had nine assists. Zuri Nesbitt assisted with 11 points, four rebounds and five assists.
Spanish Heat could wrap up the series on Tuesday with a win in game three also at the JSC basketball complex.