The teams which finished the regular season in third and fourth places respectively - Railway Tigers and the Hopewell Vipers prevailed to the coveted Western Basketball Association Lucozade Sport Men's Basketball Championship Best-of-three Grand Finals.

In the first game two Fridays ago, the Hopewell Vipers overcame a 22-15 third quarter onslaught. After leading the previous two quarters 17-15 and 17-11 Vipers took control of the match and slithered to a 34-26 halftime advantage.

This did not last long as Tigers rebounded to win the third quarter 22-15 to trail Vipers by one at the whistle. Nevertheless, Vipers regrouped in the fourth quarter and held on to close 64-61 victory. Both Dwight Reid and Kirk Blake led the charge with 22 and 16 points respectively. While Dorian Williams' 12 points, 11 rebounds double-double led the way in a losing cause.

Railway Tigers last Saturday looked all business-like with hopes to rebound from their game one loss. From the first whistle they came out raging, outscoring, out-hustling and out-muscling Vipers 18-10 and 23-15 in the first two halves to take a commanding 41-25 lead by half-time.

Upon resumption, the advantage stayed with the Tigers until the Vipers regrouped and like a desperate animal backed into a corner, found the survival instinct to attack. Led by guard Dwight Reid a player who have dominated this league in years gone by and experienced several finals stepped up, making his presence felt making a game-high four 3-pointers in the final quarter. Despite being outscored 16-15 and 35-21, Tigers managed to hold on for the win and setting up the all important game three this Saturday, July 26 at 7pm at the Montego Bay Cricket Club Multi-Purpose court.

Reid finished with 33 points, 16 rebounds, 4 steals and two blocks. Kirk Blake dropped 15 points and 5rebounds in support, while Gavin Forbes was instrumental with 13 boards as well.

Tigers' turn around was led by Jason Blake's 17 points and 8 rebound performance. He received support from Dorian Williams and Anthony Christie who both added 14 points respectively. Tammy Davis also deserves recognition for the other tangibles, 14 rebounds, 3 steals and five blocks to secure their team's close 77-76 win to level the series.

By Khurt Comrie for WBA Media.