BPBL Power Rankings – Week 3
When the Dust Settles
Two weeks in, and the league has officially flipped on its head. Last week’s juggernauts were humbled. Underdogs roared. And the gap between contender and pretender? It’s getting harder to define.
The San Pedro Tiger Sharks defended their throne with poise, but it’s the rising tide from Dangriga and Cayo that’s applying pressure from below. The Cerros Suns shocked the basketball world with a thunder-stealing win over Belize City, while the Kings showed flashes of royalty but still search for rhythm. And down south, the PG Panthers may be last on the list—but they’re stacking talent and sharpening claws for what could be a midseason breakout.
Week 3 isn’t just about standings. It’s about identity. Who are the real title threats? Who’s still adjusting? And who’s running out of time?
Let’s break it all down—team by team, trend by trend.
The Panthers took a thunderous blow in Week 1—a 50-point rout at the hands of the Belize City Thunderbolts that had many writing them off immediately. But in the BPBL jungle, things change fast. The arrival of new GM Alex Carcamo has injected life and vision into this fledgling franchise, and just like that, the Panthers are no longer limping—they’re lurking.
Injuries and absences initially derailed their momentum. Star forward Jonathan Guzman suffered a significant injury in their debut, and highly anticipated Daniel Estes never took the floor. But credit to the front office: they didn’t waste time. PG filled gaps with American forward Gabriel Sorensen, signed Alex Areola and U21 prospect Kelvin Cumberbatch off waivers, and just this week welcomed Belizean-American center Marquise Cunningham. Though not eligible to play until Week 4, these roster additions are a stroke of genius and give the Panthers instant depth. Suddenly, this roster looks formidable.
Their weekend clash with the Cerros Suns could be a pivot point. Win both, and they’re 2–1 with momentum. Split, and they stay in the hunt. Get swept? It’s back to the drawing board—and that board may not survive another fold. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
For now, PG sits at the bottom of the rankings, but don’t be fooled—the talent is there. If this squad gels, they won’t stay in the basement for long. All eyes on the jungle’s deep south this weekend. It’s ride or die in Punta Gorda.
The Corozal Cerros Suns shocked the league and flipped the script in Week 3, taking down the mighty Belize City Thunderbolts 62–60 in one of the most stunning upsets of the season. After a rough opener against San Pedro, the Suns regrouped, reloaded, and refused to be intimidated. Their scrappy effort, led by Greg “Chippy” Rudon’s gritty floor leadership and Jamaal Clifton’s jaw-dropping 31+ efficiency performance, gave Corozal fans a taste of what’s possible in this inaugural season.
Suddenly, Andres Campus Stadium is looking like a dangerous road trip. The youngest team in the league has found belief, and their next test is a huge one: a two-game series against the PG Panthers. A split would be progress—but a sweep? That could catapult the Suns into serious playoff contention.
What they lack in polish, they make up for in passion. Greg Rudon, Ray “Uncle” Cruz, and sharpshooter Brandon Rogers are giving this team identity, while Head Coach Rupert Brown’s developmental focus is beginning to pay early dividends. Nerves and turnovers haunted them early, but those ghosts seemed to disappear under the bright lights of their upset win.
The confidence is growing, the chemistry is building, and the opportunity is real. A 3–1 start would put the entire BPBL on notice. Don’t sleep on these Suns—they’re heating up.
Two weeks of preparation proved insufficient for the Capital City Kings, who were exposed in key areas during their Week 3 matchup with the Cayo Western Ballers. Cayo’s speed, length, and ball pressure uncovered two major issues for the Kings: a weak interior presence and inconsistent guard play. That second-half surge by the Ballers turned a close game into a decisive loss for Belmopan.
In response, the Kings made what could be a season-defining move—signing Daniel Estes. With his unique blend of strength, physicality, and explosive athleticism, Estes brings the type of interior muscle that could counter the likes of Hammer Milton and Malik Hunt. It’s the kind of addition that shifts energy and expectation. Suddenly, John Kelly has help. Suddenly, the Mayan Conference has a new wild card.
The Kings’ lone consistent bright spot continues to be Brandon Flowers, who led a solo fourth-quarter charge to cut the deficit to just five. And while Nissani Mendez showed flashes of becoming a two-way spark off the bench—scoring 9 in the first half and providing ball-handling relief—he also reminded everyone he’s still a rookie, with questionable shot selection and untimely turnovers. Jayden Lopez remains quiet, and Z. Pratt has yet to find his role in this evolving offense.
With Estes now anchoring the middle, the pieces may finally be in place for Head Coach Merte Williams to craft a balanced and competitive unit. The race to the bottom is real—but so is the potential for a turnaround. Friday night’s home game against a reeling Thunderbolts team could be a launching pad, or a deeper slide.
Either way, Belmopan now has a chance to redefine their season. Let’s see if they take it.
4. Belize city thunderbolts – mayan
The Thunderbolts take the biggest hit in this week’s rankings, falling two spots after a stunning two-point loss to the previously winless Corozal Cerros Suns. Missing three starters and their top bench scorer, the Bolts looked a shell of their usual high-octane selves, putting up just 60 points—the first time all season they’ve failed to crack triple digits.
It was a sobering performance for a team that came into the year with championship expectations. Whether they underestimated the Suns or simply suffered from rotation issues and absences, one thing became clear: the Thunderbolts’ margin for error is much slimmer than it seemed. The depth and continuity that once looked like their biggest strength now feel uncertain.
Following back-to-back losses, the Bolts released center Larry Johnson, signaling a clear intent to upgrade their interior defense—especially with James “Hammer” Milton looming large in Griga. Their interior weakness was again on display against San Pedro, where they were repeatedly punished in the paint and on the boards.
Even with Coope Lopez and Victor Evans putting up 20+ nights consistently, it’s no longer enough. They’ll need answers, fast. Michael Caseras has shown flashes as a future star, but the physicality required for frontcourt matchups at this level may be a year or two away.
This Friday, the Thunderbolts travel to Belmopan in what feels like a “must-win” for both teams—each sitting on a two-game skid and desperate for momentum. The Bolts need to bounce back not just with a win, but with a performance that reassures fans and rivals that they’re still a serious threat.
Let’s see which version of the Thunderbolts shows up—and who steps into Larry Johnson’s spot.
The Western Ballers bounced back in Week 3 with a convincing road win over the Belmopan Capital City Kings, climbing into the third spot in the Power Rankings. It wasn’t pretty early—the Kings came out determined to avoid another first-half collapse and held a slim lead at halftime. But the second half was all Cayo.
Arik Nicholas and Dennis Flowers III turned up the pressure, forcing turnover after turnover and igniting a fast-break clinic that left Belmopan reeling. Nicholas in particular looked every bit the leader this young Cayo squad needs—unshaken, explosive, and locked in. His four dunks were punctuation marks on a performance that justified his preseason hype.
Still, Cayo’s ceiling remains a question. Their struggles against Griga in Week 2 exposed their need for size and consistency in the paint. Darnell Oden, dominant in the season opener, was nowhere to be found in that loss. Flowers, while electric, will need to find ways to remain effective when defenses lock in.
Not convinced they have the firepower they need, the Ballers released American big man Anthony Howell this week and are actively searching for a frontcourt replacement—perhaps someone capable of matching up with the league’s emerging giants like Hammer Milton. With a week to regroup, we’ll see what they pull out of the hat.
The Western Ballers have the youth, athleticism, and raw talent. But road wins like this one will need to become the norm if they hope to survive the Mayan Conference gauntlet, where Evans, Coope Lopez, and Eyan Rene are waiting.
This was a step forward. Let’s see if they can keep climbing.
The Dream Ballers didn’t even lace up this past week, yet they still moved up a spot in the rankings—and rightfully so. Their dominant dismantling of the Cayo Western Ballers in Week 2 continues to ripple through the league, and their upcoming clash with the Tiger Sharks already feels like a title fight.
With a week off, Griga has used the time wisely—building chemistry, tightening rotations, and integrating new weapons into an already potent arsenal. James “Hammer” Milton, fresh off his 32-point, 13-rebound explosion, has been a revelation in his second act, while Quinton Bowen and Antonio Flowers give the frontcourt more bite than it’s had in years. This isn’t just a bounce-back team—it’s a rebuilt, retooled unit with its eyes on the top.
The south’s only GM, RAN, has made moves that are bearing fruit fast. Brackett is in rhythm. Conorque is finding form. The rest of the core—Boogie Mitchell, Raheem Thurton, Kevon Lourie—has settled in. What’s left to prove? That they can do it on the road. Playing in Griga is a nightmare for visitors, but the true test of championship mettle is performing away from your fortress.
A win this weekend would shake up the entire league and cement Griga as the top team in the BPBL. But if they want to convince everyone—not just claim the spot—they’ll need to dominate, not just survive.
This one’s for all the early-season bragging rights.
The Tiger Sharks hold firm at the top of the Week 3 Power Rankings after putting away the previously undefeated Belize City Thunderbolts. But the target on their backs just got bigger—and it’s now painted in Griga green and gold. With a surging Dangriga Dream Ballers team on the horizon, the Sharks will need to prove once again that they’re built for the big stage.
General manager Rico Black continues to prove that he’s not just a tactician, but an architect. His blueprint, built around performance over popularity, has delivered again. The Sharks’ masterstroke came in the form of reinforcements—none bigger than former MVP Jehad Wright and the Hon. Minister of Buckets, Devin Daly. With these two on the floor, San Pedro’s offense has gone from dangerous to devastating.
Their statement win over the Thunderbolts was led by that lethal duo, plus steady contributions from Brian White, who dropped 23 rebounds, and Arana and Malik Hunt, who added finesse and power in the backcourt. Leggy Griffin continues to grind in the paint, making the Sharks one of the most well-rounded teams in the league.
But they’re not untouchable. Despite the victory, they surrendered 101 points—proof that their defense, while gritty, still has holes. And now, waiting in the wings, are the Dream Ballers. Fresh off knocking off last week’s number one Cayo Western Ballaz, Griga is armed with the newly dubbed “Hammer of Thor,” a resurgent Brackett, and a slowly reawakening Conorquie. They’ve had two full weeks to prepare. All eyes now turn to Dangriga for what could be the early game of the year.
For now, the Sharks swim alone at the top. But the waters ahead are getting rougher.
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