The One Guyana Basketball Premier League Playoffs tipped off in electrifying fashion at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, with the Wortmanville Pacesetters and Victory Valley Royals seizing early momentum by clinching victories in their respective best-of-three semifinal series openers.

The Pacesetters faced off against the formidable Kwakwani Untouchables in a tightly contested battle. Pacesetters started strong, closing the first quarter ahead 24-18. Kwakwani rallied in the second period, outscoring Pacesetters 23-15 to take a narrow 41-39 lead into halftime. However, the Pacesetters regrouped after the break, dominating the third quarter 26-13 and entering the final period with a commanding 65-54 advantage. They held off a late surge from Kwakwani to secure an 88-80 win and draw first blood in the series.

In the other semifinal, the Victory Valley Royals showcased their class against the University of Guyana Trojans. The Royals, who have been in impressive form throughout the season, continued their run with a composed and disciplined performance, taking the opening game of their series and moving one step closer to a spot in the finals.

These playoff matchups feature the top eight teams from the Jaguars and Harpy Eagles conferences, all vying for national bragging rights, a million-dollar prize, and the coveted One Guyana Basketball Premier League trophy. The league, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Sports Commission, has seen fierce competition throughout its regular season, with 22 teams from across the nation battling for supremacy.

The next round of games is scheduled for Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, where the intensity is expected to rise as teams fight for a place in the championship series. Fans can look forward to more high-stakes action as the road to the One Guyana Basketball title continues.