Good evening and welcome to this week’s edition of Sports Monday. I am Paul Lopez here with highlights from this weekend’s sports showdowns. We begin with the game of the week in the Belize Elite Basketball League. The Capital City Kings hosted the Cayo Dream Ballers for a rematch, after the Kings fell to Ballers’ home court advantage two weeks ago.
Four minutes into the first quarter, Jaylen Lopez comes up with the steal and passes it off to Brandon “Puddy” Flowers, giving the Kings an early seven-point lead. Flowers went on to score eighteen points for the Kings in thirty-one minutes of playtime. Jaheim Ciego barrel barreling through bodies and getting to the rim to end the first quarter drought for Ballers. He was two of ten from the field on Friday night. An assist under the rim from Arik Nicholson to Kerwin Palacio for the jam! Palacio again, this time off the rebound from an Aaron Allison missed layup. By the end of the first, Cayo Western Ballers had cut the King’s lead to three points. Ballaz’s Anthony Howell tied the game at nineteen a piece, early in the second quarter, with a pair of free throws.
Capital City Kings then went on a nine to two points run. Jamal Harris caught Nicholson sleeping on defense late in the second quarter and made him pay with a three point-shot. Kings thirty-one, Ballers twenty-four. Nicholson, immediately after, on the other end with the And-one. The first half finished with Kings still in the lead, thirty-five to thirty-one points. Now in the third quarter, King in possession and Jevaughn Mckenzie with the long range three pointer. Western Ballers’ Dennis Flowers at the seventh minute, cuts the lead down to two from the three-point line. Flowers again at the fifth minute, this time tying the game at forty-five a piece. He is looking for the foul.
Just over a minute later, he nailed a next three point shot from the corner to give the Western Ballers their first lead of the game. Flowers finished with twenty-eight points, with an impressive six of eight three-point shots made. He also had eight rebounds. The Cayo Western Ballers kept extending their lead in the fourth quarter and took it to as much as eleven points. There was a part of the game late in the fourth where the Capital City Kings brought that lead down to five points. But Flowers dished out the final blow only moments later by forcing the turnover and making good on an open opportunity from the three-point line. The match finished with a score of eighty to seventy points in favor of Cayo Western Ballers. Up north, the Corozal Cerros Suns stunned basketball fans when they defeated the Belize City Thunderbolts in a Saturday night match that ended sixty-seven to sixty-five.
On Saturday, the under-fifteen females participating in the Anthony Mahler Youth Football tournament faced off for their championship games. KP Strikers took on Goal Getters in the match for bronze. A throw in towards goal for Goal Getters six minutes into the game led to a penalty kick after a KP Strikers’ player touched the ball inside the penalty box. That is one goal for Goal Getters. A foul and a spot kick in favor of KP Strikers equalized the match at one goal apiece. This match ended in a penalty shootout. After five kicks from each team, KP Strikers came out on top and secured the season’s bronze medal.
In the championship game, Royal Fusion took on Alvian Strikers. Regulation time saw both teams score two goals each. This resulted, once again, in a penalty shootout to determine the winner. Royal Fusion missed their first and fourth attempts. Alvian Strikers were on target for every shot. The Alvian Strikers are your 2025 Under Fifteen Female Football Champions in this tournament. Well folks that is all we have for you in tonight’s coverage of Sports Monday. Catch you in the next one.
For many young basketball players, the dream of making it to the NBA starts with a scholarship and a shot at playing college ball in the U.S. And today, that dream came a little closer to reality for some of Belize’s rising stars. In a full-circle moment, Minister of State Devin Daly, a former professional athlete himself, has teamed up with his alma mater, Lake Superior State University, to give back in a big way. Daly invited his former coaches to Belize to scout local talent, hoping to open doors for the next generation of athletes to follow in his footsteps and maybe even surpass them. News Five’s Paul Lopez was courtside for today’s high-energy scouting session and brings us this inspiring report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
The Civic Center buzzed with energy as hopeful young athletes showcased their skills, knowing that a strong performance could open the door to a U.S. college scholarship, and possibly a future in professional basketball. In a powerful show of support for local talent, Minister of State for Sports, Devin Daly, brought a piece of his own journey full circle. Daly, a former collegiate athlete, invited coaches from Lake Superior State University, his alma mater, to Belize to scout for the next generation of stars.
Devin Daly
Devin Daly, Minister of State, Ministry of Sports
“It started way back when I went to this same university that coach Grace and Steve are still currently coaching at. I think it was 2019 when I was working at the Belize City Council. I kept wondering why we don’t have programs where we have coaches coming to Belize to recruit our students’ athletes. Now that I am in a position to make certain things a reality, this is my first move.”
While women’s basketball in Belize is still growing, that didn’t stop players like Bria Clarke from giving it their all. Her passion for the game shines through, proving that even in a male-dominated sport, there’s space for fearless female athletes to rise and be seen.
Bria Clarke
Bria Clarke, Basketball Athlete
“For me personally ih just wah be like getting better, because I am currently at divisions three and this is a division two school. So, for me I want to be play overseas because it is more eyes and more coaches overseas can see me.”
Then there’s Jason Orosco, a third-form student at Maude Williams High School and a rising star in Belize’s youth basketball scene. If his name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s already made waves as part of the Under-18 National Team that made history by competing in the FIBA AmeriCup Tournament in Argentina. Now, Jason is aiming even higher. With international experience under his belt, he’s ready to take his game and his exposure to the next level.
Jason Orosco
Jason Orosco, Basketball Athlete
“I mean, I am a great young kid playing basketball in Belize. It is a great opportunity not only for me but for everyone here. Basketball in Belize is at a lower level so it is a great shoutout to honorable Devin Daly for this opportunity, not for me, but for each and everyone of us.”
Paul Lopez
“How has basketball transformed your life?”
Jason Orosco
“I am a young kid from the ghetto. I look at basketball as my getaway, so I just push myself everyday.”
We also caught up with Coach Steve Hettinga, who shared what he’s looking for in these young athletes and why he believes this opportunity could be a game-changer for their futures. Fun fact, this isn’t Hettinga’s first time in Belize. He made his first trip back in 2011, when he came to scout a young talent named Devin Daly… who’s now the Minister of State for Sports.
Steve Hettinga
Steve Hettinga, Coach, Lake Supreme State University
“My expectations are certainly like with Devin, his development over the four years, when I saw him he was so raw, we like to saw that term in basketball, very raw but talented. That is what I am expecting to see. Some of their form and how they play. I can tell they have ability but maybe they don’t have the fundamentals and the teaching that goes with it. I am looking for somebody that works hard, that is raw that has an open attitude to get better. A good student and someone that want to learn and get better.”
Devin Daly
“It is surreal. You get jitters because I lived it. You get nervous because I lived it. And of course you want to try show your best and you don’t know how you will mess up. That is why when it started I told them this is not about scoring ten free throws in a row or ten threes like Steph Curry or Devin Daly use to be. This is about showing the intangibles, having leadership quality and being that good teammate.”
Now, let’s be real—not everyone who showed up today will land a spot on a college team. But there’s good news. Minister Daly says this is just the beginning. He’s planning to bring even more scouts to Belize throughout the year to keep shining a spotlight on our homegrown talent. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
He may be new to the Ministry of Sports, but Minister Anthony Mahler isn’t wasting any time getting down to business. From day one, he promised big changes and today, during the 2025 budget debate, he doubled down on that promise. Minister Mahler laid out a bold vision: upgraded sports facilities, better training and pay for athletes, and a fresh leadership approach for youth and sports programs. It’s clear he’s aiming to turn potential into performance, and he’s bringing energy and ambition to the job. Here’s more from Minister Mahler on what’s ahead for sports in Belize.
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Youth and Sports
“This will take time and effort, but we will see marked improvements in years to come. In 2025 our investments will focus on improving athlete development programs, elite training and scholarship pathways, and improve school programs and district leagues to expand participation at the grassroots level. My program, Mundialito in Belize City is a testament to that. Upgrading and maintaining sporting facilities in all districts, developing a new sports policy and strategy, revamping the sports act, establishing a national advisory council that includes all federations and identifying creative ways to finance youth and sports initiatives in a sustainable way. I know first hand the importance of getting sports right to be able to provide an education for young people for better healthcare, because if we have a healthier nation we have a more productive nation, for national pride. When you see this flag you should beam with pride and we have to have a portion of our athletes be able earn a decent living from sports. We have established a new board of directors for the National Sports Council will competent people who are passionate about driving the sporting renaissance forward.”
Good evening, welcome to this week’s installment of Sports Monday. I am Paul Lopez brining you the latest highlights from this weekend in sports. We begin tonight with the basketball showdown in Dangriga that gave fans their money’s worth. The EZ Investment Dream Ballers took on the Cayo Western Ballaz. Their mission was to defend home court. Going into this one, the Dream Ballers organization had high expectations for the latest addition to its roster, Pro Import James Milton. Well, he was not disappoint. In his debut match, Milton put up an impressive thirty-two points and finished with thirteen rebounds. He shot sixty-five percent from the field and played a total of thirty-seven minutes and forty-eight seconds, with only two minutes on the bench for the entire match. And, the EZ Investment Dream Ballers needed that kind of contribution from him to ease the blows that were coming from the Western Ballaz’s Arik Nicholas. He finished with twenty-four points and eight rebounds, shooting fifty percent from the field. Nicholas led his team in the third quarter to close a huge deficit and made five of seven from the free throw line. These were the two most outstanding players in this matchup. But, the contributions from Deshawn Brackett for EZ Investment Dream Ballers cannot be understated. He finished with fifteen points, five rebounds and seven assists. Ultimately, the match was not short of high-flying dunks, nail biting comebacks, sweet victory and bitter defeat. The EZ Investment Dream Ballers came out on top with eighty-eight points, to defeat the Cayo Western Ballers that finished with seventy-six points. In Belize City, the San Pedro Tiger Sharks brought down the Belize City Thunderbolts in a game that ended with a score of one hundred and nine to one hundred and one. As this exciting inaugural season continues, we spoke with the General Manager and Owner of Corozal Cerros Sun, Lupito Acosta. Cerros Suns are newcomers to the league. Acosta told us about his expectations for this season.
Lupito Acosta, Owner, Corozal Cerros Suns
“We are looking forward to winning some games, being competitive int his tournament. Our first game we played a couple players were nervous. It was their first experience in an elite tournament. The other experienced players they knew what needed to be done and some of the mistakes we can fix and adjust for our upcoming game this Saturday. We have five Corozal players who it is their first time playing at this level. We have fifteen year old. One of the players has to be a U21. We are very excited to present him to Belize. He was nervous but he scored. He performed so we are looking forward to a better outcome for the next eleven games to come. For us we are not lying to our fans and saying we are coming out to win a championship. We are a new franchise with growing pains. All championships franchise went through their growing pains as well. We have already exceeded as a leadership team and owner.”
That is all we have for you in tonight’s coverage of Sports Monday. Catch you in the next one.
Good evening and welcome to this week’s installment of Sports Monday! I’m Paul Lopez, bringing you the latest and greatest from the world of sports across the nation. This past Friday, the energy was electric inside the Belize City Civic Center as the long-awaited Belize Premier Basketball League tipped off its inaugural season in grand style. The evening began with a patriotic march past, proudly led by the Belize Coast Guard, setting the tone for a night of unity and competition. All seven teams participating in this historic season made their presence known, parading across the court with pride, team banners flying high and jerseys gleaming under the arena lights. With the Tony Leslie Toucan Cup, the San Cas Mayan Cup, and the Benny’s Jaguar Cup all up for grabs, the stakes are high, and the excitement is just getting started.
Gilbert Gordon
Gilbert Gordon, Chief Executive Officer, B.P.B.L
“We believe that this premier basketball league is going to be beacon, it is going to be the light that transcends basketball to a different level for the next ten to fifteen years.”
It was a fun start to the night as Minister of Sports Anthony Mahler stepped up to take the ceremonial opening shot, but let’s just say it took a few tries. After missing his first six free throws, Mahler finally sank one, earning a big cheer from the crowd. But don’t let his warm-up performance fool you, the real action was just getting started. The Belize City Thunderbolts faced off against the EZ Investment Dream Ballers in a high-energy matchup packed with highlight-worthy plays and crowd-pleasing moments.
Dream Ballers’ Deshawn Brackett with a long range three early in the first quarter. He ended the night with nineteen points. Eyan Rene with the fast break on the other end to get the Thunderbolts on the score board. He scored fifteen points in this one. Victor Evans on fire in the third quarter nails a three-point shot. He finished at eighteen. The first quarter ended with Dream Ballers in the lead with twenty-points to their opponents twelve. The second quarter kicked off with a bang as Thunderbolts’ Tyrone Hall lit up the court. He nailed a three-pointer while drawing a foul, setting himself up for a rare four-point play—and that was just the beginning. Hall’s clutch shot sparked a dominant six-minute run, with the Thunderbolts racking up seventeen unanswered points. By the end of the quarter, they had outscored the EZ Investment Dream Ballers twenty-six to five, heading into halftime with a commanding thirteen-point lead.
Dream Baller s’ Daniel Conorquie stuck out like a sour thumb in the third, hitting four back-to-back three pointers. He made the first three over Matthew Young. Victor Evans switched on Conorquie but that was not enough. Evans on the other end, responding with a three-point basket. But, Conorquie was not quite done, again catching Young sleeping at the wheel. His fourth made three-pointer and fifth consecutive basket. He finished the night with twenty-four points. Victor Evans kept the momentum going in the fourth quarter, showing off his sharp shooting and helping seal the deal for the Belize City Thunderbolts. The final score? A commanding 108–81 win over the EZ Investment Dream Ballers.
Saturday night was packed with action across the country. In San Ignacio, the Western Ballaz cruised past the Capital City Kings with a 77–57 victory. Meanwhile, up north in Corozal, the San Pedro Tiger Sharks made a splash, overpowering the Corozal Cerros Suns 74–47. Week two of the league’s inaugural season continues this weekend, with the Punta Gorda Panthers set to make their much-anticipated debut.
And it wasn’t just basketball grabbing attention—over in Sandhill Village, softball fans were treated to a day-long marathon showdown. In the women’s championship match, Double Head Cabbage faced off against the Tiga Town Red Necks, who were first up to bat in the fight for the marathon trophy. Jada Moralez hits towards third base and made it safely to first. Sherice Moralez swung and sent a ground ball into the outfield. That led to Jada Moralez scoring the first and only run for her team in the starting inning. Double Head Cabbage did not score a single run in their first and second innings.
In the Tiga Town Red Neck’s second inning, Richard on third base made it across the home plate off a hit from Jada Moralez. That’s two runs for the Red Necks. Trailing 3–0 in the third inning, Double Head Cabbage sparked some hope with a clutch hit that brought a runner home and put them back in the game. But in the fourth and final inning, the Tiga Town Red Necks added two more runs to their tally. Double Head Cabbage answered with two of their own, but it wasn’t enough. The Red Necks held on for a 5–3 win, taking home the marathon trophy in a hard-fought women’s championship match in Sandhill Village.
Meanwhile, the Anthony Mahler Youth Tournament continued over the weekend with more exciting matchups. On Saturday, Sampson Academy edged out Ebony Lake with a narrow 1–0 victory at Berger Field. In the under-10 division, Belize United faced off against the Blazing Strikers in a tightly contested game. Azaire Gaynair scored for Belize United with a brilliant penalty kick that sailed past the keeper. But the Strikers struck early—Jayseon Dennison found the back of the net just two minutes into the match. The game ended in a 1–1 draw, with both teams showing impressive skill and determination. Well folks, that is all we have for you in tonight’s coverage of Sports Monday. Catch you in the next one.
It’s more than just a court, it’s a symbol of hope, unity, and opportunity. In Cayo North, a brand-new basketball facility is turning heads and changing lives. From slam dunks to second chances, this story shows how one court is helping young Belizeans find their purpose, on and off the hardwood. Here’s Isani Cayetano.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
There’s a new buzz in the air in Cayo North—and it’s not just the sound of sneakers squeaking on fresh hardwood. A brand-new basketball court has officially opened, and it’s already proving to be more than just a place to play. But beyond the slam dunks and three-pointers, this project carries a deeper message: sports can change lives.
Karim Juan
Karim Juan
“Your belief in the power of sports and community has helped to provide a safe and inspiring space for our athletes. To the players, fans, and sports enthusiasts, this court is for you. We hope this space fosters your passion for the game and serves as a foundation for future successes. As we step on to this court tonight, let us remember that it represents more than just basketball. It symbolizes the community’s unity, our commitment to youth development and the belief that together we can achieve great things.”
Basketball courts like this one are more than just places to shoot hoops. They’re community hubs where young people from all backgrounds come together, break down barriers, and build lasting bonds. For many, it’s a place to feel included, respected, and part of something bigger.
Devin Daly
Devin Daly, Minister of State, Youth & Sports
“Ah feel all types of emotions right now, honestly, because I am a true testament of what sports and, specifically, basketball has done for me. This is the start to, hopefully, many great things, many great programs within this community and I am sure that the local association will see that through. But before I continue on, I would like to share a bit of my journey and what sports did for me, what education [did for me.] At the Ministry of Youth and Sports, we’ve established early what we want to be, the four pillars moving forward for our political tenure. We’re looking at education, health and wellness, economics and civic pride, all of them we are trying to tie together with this new vision led by Minister Anthony Mahler.”
Getting involved in sports does more than build physical strength—it helps young people discover who they are. Being part of a team gives them a sense of belonging, boosts their confidence, and helps them feel seen and valued by both peers and adults. This kind of support is especially important during the teenage years, when young people are figuring out their identity and where they fit in the world.
Anthony Mahler
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Youth & Sports
“For me, facilities like this can help us create and build better people across the country. If we have better people, we have a better tourism industry. That’s how I was looking at it, and we have a better country. And so, I prefer investing in facilities like this than investing in guns and vehicles for the police to do their job. If we have decent people then we don’t have to worry about that part of it. And so, that was the idea behind this.”
Having access to sports facilities gives young people a safe and structured place to spend their time, especially after school. These spaces offer supervised activities that keep them active, focused, and out of trouble. It’s a simple but powerful way to steer youth away from risky behavior and toward positive growth.
Michel Chebat
Michel Chebat, Area Representative, Cayo North
“This court stands, not just as a physical structure, but as a symbol of progress, collaboration and our shared commitment to youth and sports development in this region. We have long known the talent and passion for basketball that lives within our towns and no our athletes finally have a facility that matches their potential. This court is more than just hardwood and hoops. It is the foundation for dreams, discipline and unity. Let us continue to support our young athletes and keep pushing forward together.”
The court was made possible through sponsorship from the Belize Tourism Board, and it’s already being hailed as a game-changer for the community.
Professional basketball is making a strong comeback in Belize, this time with a fresh name, new leadership, and a big vision for the future. The Belize Premier Basketball League (BPBL) is set to launch its very first season tonight at the Belize City Civic Center. The opening game promises to be a high-energy showdown between the EZ Investment Dangriga Dream Ballers and the Belize City Thunderbolts. But this isn’t just the start of a new season, it’s the beginning of a new era. Minister of Sports Anthony Mahler will be on hand to shoot the opening free throw at the start of the game. But what does he think about the new league and the future of semipro basketball in Belize?
Anthony Mahler
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Youth & Sports
“It’s better than nothing, but we plan to sit down with the basketball federation and we plan to bring back the original semipro basketball league early next year.”
Reporter
“So you don’t see this one being a long-lasting [league]?”
Anthony Mahler
“Well it could be. I mean, they are doing it in the summer months. Usually, thattournament starts in January. So we’ll see how it goes from there, but it’ s better to have our athletes playing rather than just sitting down home doing nothing and just play scrimmage ball at the parks.”
Copa Los Volcanes is coming to Belize. It’s one of the biggest golf tournaments in Central America, and for the first time ever, it is being hosted at the Roaring River Golf Course in Roaring Creek. This event presents Belize with the exciting opportunity to showcase local players’ talent and highlight the potential for the nation to emerge as a premier golf destination. News Five’s Britney Gordon visited the golf course earlier today to learn all about the historic opportunity.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
While golf may not be Belize’s most popular sport, the local community is growing and this tournament is a major opportunity to showcase both the country’s talent and its potential as a golf destination. Minister of Sports Anthony Mahler expressed full support for the event, calling it a win for both sports and tourism.
Anthony Mahler
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Sports
“Well we’re in full support of this tournament, I think an tournament of this magnitude. Epecially our region regional tournament. It brings in people into Belize to participate and to compete at the highest level. And those things are important for us. So we support this initiative a hundred percent and I’m wearing two hats here as minister of tourism because that brings in tourism Laas as well. And as minister of sport, I think golf is a good wholesome sport that we can getmore Belizeans involved.”
The tournament will feature elite players from five other Central American countries. Pedro Lizarraga, co-owner of the Roaring River Golf Course, sees it as a chance to put Belize on the map.
Pedro Lizarraga
Pedro Lizarraga, Co-owner, Roaring River Golf Course
“It definitely puts Belize on a map in the golfing community, and Belize has partook in this tournament since 2018. As you know, it’s a tournament that showcases regional talent. There’s a lot of really good young players in Central America and I think Belize has some work to do to get to that level, but for us in Belize. Definitely, it’s a big opportunity to showcase what we have in Belize, to showcase the culture, to showcase our golf course, certainly. But more than that, to showcase the country and the spirit of Belizean and, and the friendship of Belizean to original partners coming to play in Belize.”
Mahler also shared plans to expand golf infrastructure across the country, including potential new courses in San Pedro and Placencia, with the goal of making golf more accessible and boosting tourism.
Anthony Mahler
“I’ve always advocated for more golf courses to be built across Belize. So the director of tourism and I go to a hotel investment conference in New York soon, and we will look for partners where we could build more golf resorts across the country. And I think, San Pedro is prime for one. In Placencia one is being built and this one here is important in the Westport. The more facilities we have for whatever discipline is. The more people we have engaged in more wholesome stuff then we have a more productive society.”
Representing Belize in the tournament is Samantha Neil, a standout golfer from San Ignacio who has only been playing for four years. Despite her nerves, she’s ready to compete.
Samantha Neil
Samantha Neil, Golfer
“These females that are coming in, they’ve been playing from a very, very young age, and like I said, we’re new to the sport. So I hope and pray that all our practice and all the coaching pays off.”
As one of the few women in a male-dominated sport, Neil is determined to earn her place on the course.
Samantha Neil
“Well, the males tend to not put us there, so we try our best to make a space for ourself, make a space for ourself, and have them respect us on the, on the course. So us as females, we don’t play with strength, we play more with our bodies, so , we have to mentally be prepared to play against them. So that helps us and will help us play against these females coming in.”
The tournament will use the nine-hole course twice to complete an 18-hole game format. Britney Gordon for News Five.
Copa Los Volcanes will kick off on June eighteenth and conclude on the twenty-second.
Professional basketball is bouncing back in Belize and it’s doing so with a fresh look, new leadership, and a brand-new name. The Belize Premier Basketball League, or BPBL, is set to tip off its inaugural season this Friday night at the Belize City Civic Center. The opening matchup will see the EZ Investment Dangriga Dream Ballers take on the Belize City Thunderbolts in what promises to be a high-energy showdown. But this isn’t just a new season, it’s a new era. At a press conference held this afternoon in Belize City, league organizers laid out their vision for the BPBL. Chief Financial Officer, Doctor Paul Flowers, highlighted one of the league’s most significant changes: a more sustainable and professional approach to team management and player development. Doctor Flowers emphasized that the BPBL is not just a rebrand of the former Belize Elite Basketball League, it’s a step up. With improved financial oversight, better support for athletes, and a commitment to growing the sport nationwide, the BPBL aims to elevate basketball in Belize to new heights.
Paul Flowers
Dr. Paul Flowers, Chief Financial Officer, B.P.B.L
“The first step we did was to change the charter. It use to be an unlimited number of Belizean Americans and you get two foreigners. You could have thirteen Belizean American and one European and one American and it is entertaining. You see high flying stuff, but the local communities couldn’t recognize themselves in that. So, we made this seismic shift to say the rules have changed. Now, to fill your roster, here are your handcuffs, you are allowed ten Belizean born players. Of those ten Belizean players one must be U-21. Now you set that aside, you now have two more, a foreign born anywhere in the world, with no affiliation. The other can be a naturalized Belizean. So, now what that did it nullified the big money. Because regardless of how much money you had you can only buy two foreigners and everyone can afford two foreigners, we knew that. It is when you go beyond two foreigners that they fell apart.”
Basketball fans are in for even more thrills this season as teams battle it out across two conferences, the Toucan and the Maya, for a shot at the ultimate prize: the Benny’s Jaguar Cup. Much like the NBA’s Eastern and Western Conferences, this format adds a new layer of competition and strategy. Teams will have to dominate their conference before earning the right to compete for the championship title. Doctor Paul Flowers explained that this setup is designed to raise the stakes and keep fans on the edge of their seats all season long.
Dr. Paul Flowers, Chief Financial Officer, B.P.B.L
“One of the key things we did was create conferences, we created the Maya conference and the Toucan conference. Why the Maya and the toucan, it is because our identity is from the Maya from tourism. Tourism is our biggest foreign reserve earner and what do they advertise every day, the jaguar, the Maya community, so we try to cap the rainforest. That is why in a brainstorming meeting, Dr. Gordon and my son, Paul Flowers Jr. came up with this concept of this is a jungle, survival of the fittest who will be the apex predator. The apex predator is the jaguar. The jungle is what we market, and the jungle has been the place that nobody wants to go to because you go in there and don’t know up from down and nobody can find you. That is what the BPBL is. You want to win the Jaguar Championship and stand as the apex predator; you must follow a gauntlet.”
