#1 Eagles vs. #4 Secret Agents
An unnecessary foul with seconds remaining in the game cost the Secret Agents the game as they fall 55-52 to the Eagles.
The Eagles entered the game as the higher seeded team but for the majority of the game the Secret Agents were playing like they were the top seed. The Secret Agents were fresh off a quarterfinal victory over The Revenge 2 weeks earlier while the Eagles had a 3 week layoff.
From the onset of the game, it looked as if the Secret Agents would continue their “Cinderella” season and waltz into the conference finals. The Eagles looked rusty and stagnant while the Secret Agents were hyped and ready to go. As the Eagles began to make a run to cut into the Secret Agents early lead, tragedy struck. On a rebound attempt late in the first half, the Eagles leading scorer and perennial 3-Point threat Eric Imperio went down with an ankle injury. Their second leading scorer Richard Vasquez (14 Points, 9 Rebounds) was in foul trouble and Evin Imperio was the teams only source of offense.
As the second half got underway, the Eagles began to attack the basket, attempting to get to the free throw line, Vince Pryor (16 Points, 5 Rebounds) gave the Eagles a much-needed spark off the bench in the second half. While the Eagles were on their run, the Secret Agents led by Lonnie Bradshaw (20 Points, 13 Rebounds), Red San Miguel (12 Points), and Darryial Morris (12 Points, 8 Rebounds) were doing everything in their power to not let the lead slip away.
As the game was coming to a close the Eagle cut the lead to 2 with under a minute left, after a dry offensive possession from the Secret Agents the Eagles scored and tied the game at 52 apiece.The Secret Agents turned over the ball with their next possession, after a timeout by the Eagles they inbounded the ball to Evin Imperio ( 19 Points) with 6 seconds left on the game clock, Imperio took three dribbles and heaved a shot from 4 feet behind the 3-Point line, as he was coming down a Secret Agent player low bridged him, the foul sent Imperio to the free throw line to shoot 3 free throws. Imperio made all three free throws and iced the game for his team. Although there was 1 second on the clock the Secret Agents had no time-outs left to advance the ball thus leading to the Eagles advancing to the conference finals.
#2 Warriors vs. #3 Quiksilver
Behind a huge effort from Harry Yoo (24 Points, 7 Rebounds) Quiksilver makes little work of the higher seeded Warriors and advance to the conference Semifinals following a 70-56 win.
Kenny Lee (18 Points, 10 Rebounds) shouldered the scoring load behind Yoo. John Dang (14 Points, 6 Rebounds) took a backseat to Yoo and Lee and was the Quiksilvers third leading scorer.
Domo Cole [Warriors] (16 Points, 6 Rebounds) led all scorers for his team. Louis Cole [Warriors] (15 Points, 8 Rebounds) was the Warriors second leading scorer, Kenny [Warriors] (12 Points, 6 Rebounds) rounded out the game’s top performers.
#3 Quiksilver will meet the #1 Eagles in the Eastern Conference Finals.
#1 Wonton Soup vs. #4 Double Dribble
Wonton Soup shows why they are the divisions two-time defending champion as the eliminate Double Dribble from the post season for the third consecutive season following a gritty 60-54 win.
Jaime Villalobos [Wonton Soup] (24 Points, 11 Rebounds) led all scorers for the game, Diahnte Pickett [Double Dribble] was the games second leading scorers with (17 Points, 5 Rebounds). Desean Collins [Wonton Soup] rounded out the games leading scorers with (15 Points)
each.
Jesse Jimenez [Double Dribble] (10 Points, 3 Rebounds), Charlie Hinjosa and Andrae Lockett [Double Dribble] (9 Points, 5 Rebounds) were notable performers for the game.
With the win, Wonton Soup advances to their 3rd straight conference finals. They will take on the #2 Dream Team.
#6 Cali Raisins vs. #2 Dream Team
The Dream Team defeats the Cali Raisins with a tip in as time expired for a 45-44 win. They now advance to the conference finals where they will take on the conferences top seed Wonton Soup.
The Raisins forget to box out and allow Brandon Taylor [Dream Team] and easy put back opportunity.
Kwasi Mensah [Cali Raisins] (15 Points, 7 Rebounds) led all scorers for the game, Brandon Taylor [Dream Team] (14 Points, 4 Rebounds) A.J Miles[Dream Team] (13 Points, 5 Rebounds), Jordan Ramos [Cali Raisins] (11 Points, 5 Rebounds), and Demetre Smith [Dream Team] (10 Points, 11 Rebounds) were the game’s top performers.
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+ Game Previews, recaps and write-ups are articles written by Nathan Apolonio.
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