Disappointing Loses and Surprising Victories in NEBL Opening Weekend  

Good evening, I am Paul Lopez with this week’s installment of Sports Monday. The National Elite Basketball League is back and week one games are already showing some powershifts across the leagues.

 

Opening night in Belize City saw two matches. In the first match the San Pedro Tiger Sharks had homecourt advantage against the Cayo Western Ballaz. The Tiger Sharks secured their first W of the season, defeating the Western Ballaz ninety-one to eighty-five points.

 

And in the second game of the night, the highly anticipated matchup between the Belize City Defenders and the Orange Walk Running Rebels, left Defenders fans underwhelmed and wanting more. Running Rebels fans on the other hand liked everything they saw with this new team. The Orange Walk Running Rebels ran over Defenders, leaving them looking as defeated as some soggy Orange Walk tacos. That one ended with eighty-two points for the Running Rebels and sixty-five for the Belize City Defenders.

 

On Saturday night, the attention switched over to the Capital City for the Belmopan Trojans and Corozal Spartans’ season debut. After four quarters of thrilling basketball, Belmopan Trojans successfully defended homecourt, defeating the Spartans by six points, in a game that ended eighty to seventy-four. This coming weekend, Belmopan will host the San Pedro Tigersharks. Cayo Western Ballers will host the Defenders, and Orange Walk Running Rebels will host the EZ Investment Dream Ballers.

 

And from basketball we move into some cycling action. Yes, we are talking about the Fourth Annual, Alfred Parks Memorial Race. Ninety-five miles of racing from Cotton Tree, to Santa Elena and then all the way back to Belize City. Well we were at the finish line in front of Leslie’s Import on the George Price Highway when a group of riders made the turn towards the finish and began to sprint for the grand prize. Head down, unleashing all ounce of energy left, two-time champion Jyven Gonzalez finished in first place, securing his third consecutive victory. Heriberto Guitterez followed closely behind to secure the second place prize. Tarique Flowers finished in third place, while David Castano rounded off the top four. Here is a brief word from the three-time Alfred Parks Memorial Race Champion, Jyven Gonzalez.

 

Jyven Gonzalez, Champion, 4^th Alfred Parks Memorial Race

“First and foremost, thank God first. Through Christ I ended up putting off this victory. Honestly, today I didn’t have my best legs at all. I just really mih the try play smart.”

 

From the nation’s highways we take you to Sand Hill Village where the Belize Softball Federation is hosting its Inter-Office Tournament. The 2026 season officially got underway on Friday night with a double header. In the first match, B&B Brewers took on Maritime Enforcers in a five-inning game that ended in a complete blowout. B&B Brewers won the match with twenty-seven runs to their opponents, five runs. It is safe to say that the Brewers is among the top teams to watch this season after Friday night’s performance.

 

And finally for tonight, following a thrilling weekend of volleyball in the Under-Twenty-One National Volleyball Tournament, two teams rose to the top. In the male category, EA Junior Warriors secured the gold medal, continuing a dominant run in the discipline. And in the female category, Lady Jaguars took home gold, reminding fans why they are a force to be reckoned with. Well folks, that is all we have for you in tonight’s coverage of Sports Monday. Catch you in the next one.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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