By Paul Flowers Jr. | May 30, 2025
BELMOPAN – In a tightly contested matchup at the UB Gymnasium, the Cayo Western Ballers used a ferocious second-half push to take down the Capital City Kings, 80–70, in a battle that had the home crowd holding their breath until the final minutes. This clash marked the Capital City Kings’ opening night in the BPBL, coinciding with the bustling National Agricultural and Trade Show—Belmopan’s largest annual event. While the crowd arrived fashionably late, they packed the UB Gymnasium to near capacity, igniting the arena with thunderous energy. This was easily the largest crowd to attend a professional basketball game in Belmopan since their championship run in 2017.
On the heels of a slow start in game one that saw the Kings go down by 25 points in the first half, the Kings brought the early energy this time around. They jumped out with purpose, riding the shot-making of Brandon Flowers, who poured in 13 of his team-high 18 points in the opening quarter—including two triples that set off a fiery 8–0 start. Jayden Lopez added nifty drives and a silky layup, and John Kelly was a force on the glass, helping the Kings secure an 18–15 lead after one.
But the Ballers started to settle. Arik Nicholas, a former Arizona Christian standout, began to assert himself with early free throws and a transition finish. On the other side, his ex-college teammate Nisani Mendez entered the game off the Kings’ bench and immediately made his presence felt—scoring 9 points in the first half with a blend of aggressive drives and timely jumpers. Meanwhile, the relentless Dennis Flowers III came alive with aggressive scoring on both ends. By the second quarter, Dennis had already notched double digits, punctuating the half with a clutch layup that cut the Kings’ lead to 35–31.
The third quarter was all Cayo. Arik Nicholas and Dennis Flowers III detonated for a combined 20 points in the frame, including a 22–9 run that flipped the script. While Dennis caught fire from deep—burying back-to-back threes—many of the opportunities came from sloppy turnovers by Belmopan’s supporting cast. These miscues fueled Cayo’s transition game, allowing them to push the pace and seize momentum. Meanwhile, Jahiem Ciego controlled the paint with putbacks and hustle plays, adding to the Kings’ third-quarter woes.
Suddenly, the Kings looked out of sync. Nisani Mendez tried to keep the hosts afloat with an and-one drive and a late triple, but turnovers piled up and the Ballers pushed the pace. Kerwin Palacio provided key bench minutes, including an energy-boosting layup and two big free throws.
Entering the fourth, Cayo led 63–54, and the Ballers never looked back.
Though Brandon Flowers returned with a strong close, including a pair of midrange jumpers and two free throws, Cayo’s core proved too much. The Ballers had pushed the lead to nine entering the fourth, but Belmopan battled back to within five before Brandon Flowers hit a momentum-shifting dagger three with just over two minutes remaining, giving the Kings a last gasp of hope. Still, Dennis Flowers III responded by taking full control, ending with a game-high 28 points on 8-of-14 shooting, 6 threes, and 6 rebounds. Arik Nicholas added 25 points, 7 boards, and 100% shooting from the line, helping seal the win.
The Kings, while spirited, couldn’t find enough from their bench. Their bigs struggled to handle Ciego inside, and 14 turnovers limited their second-chance opportunities. Yet, the flashes from young talents like Nisani Mendez, Jayden Lopez, Jevaughn McKenzie, and Shane Pratt hint at a promising future. If Belmopan is to build a franchise that resonates with the community, they must find the patience and style to incorporate and develop these rising stars into a sustainable core.
| Cayo Ballers | Capital City Kings |
|---|---|
| Dennis Flowers III – 28 pts, 6 reb, 6 threes | Brandon Flowers – 18 pts, 8 reb |
| Arik Nicholas – 25 pts, 7 reb, 6 FTM | James Moore – 12 pts, 8 reb, 2 ast |
| Jahiem Ciego – 10 reb, 6 pts, 3 stl | John Kelly – 6 pts, 11 reb |
Cayo shot 43.1% from the field and 38.9% from deep, with a deadly 85% clip from the line.
Capital City Kings struggled from beyond the arc: 5-of-23 (21.7%).
Kings’ turnovers: 28 total, leading to 20 Cayo points.
The Ballers outrebounded the Kings 41–43, with Ciego and Palacio providing the edge.
Cayo’s bench contributed 18 points versus just 14 for Belmopan.
This was a gutsy, late-blooming win for the Cayo Western Ballers, who now look like serious contenders in the Jaguar Division. With Dennis Flowers III showing MVP-level form and Arik Nicholas asserting himself as a top-tier force, the Ballers have found a dangerous rhythm. Both are firmly in the early-season MVP conversation, and it’s far too soon to dub either the sidekick—this duo is still figuring out who’s Batman and who’s Robin.
For the Kings, Brandon Flowers looked every bit the franchise cornerstone, but he needs more help. The forward-center rotations are still shaky, and the team must address turnover woes to remain competitive.
This was more than a W—it was a warning. The Ballers are here, they’re deep, and they’re hungry.
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