Jungle Rewind: San Pedro Edges Griga in an Overtime Clash of Titans

San Pedro Tiger Sharks 77, EZ Investments Dangriga Dream Ballers 74 (OT)

In a game that lived up to its billing and then some, the San Pedro Tiger Sharks held on for a thrilling 77–74 overtime victory over the EZ Investments Dangriga Dream Ballers in a showdown for sole possession of first place in both the BPBL standings and the Toucan Conference. The number one team in the league power rankings, the Tiger Sharks, walked into the packed Russell Chiste Garcia Stadium to face the second-ranked Dream Ballers—and survived a Deshawn Brackett onslaught and one of the most intense games of the season.

First Quarter: Griga’s Hot Start

Griga came out charged by a loud home crowd and efficient early offense. Kevon Laurie and James Milton owned the paint early, while Deshawn Brackett wasted no time getting into rhythm. The Dream Ballers moved the ball well and held San Pedro to just 33% shooting, taking a slim lead behind Brackett’s transition finishes and Edgar Mitchell’s calm control. Arana and Rowland struggled to get clean looks early, and Griga finished the quarter leading 13–11.

Second Quarter: Sharks Find Their Bite

The Tiger Sharks responded in the second. Francis Arana started to heat up, showing off his midrange touch and slicing the defense with quick drives. Keon Rowland started finding the net after missing his first five, and San Pedro clawed back in front. Despite Deshawn Brackett’s relentless attack and Daniel Conorque’s timely layups, Griga’s turnovers (7 in the quarter) allowed the Sharks to steal momentum. The teams traded buckets down the stretch, entering halftime virtually even at 32–31.

Third Quarter: Jaws Fully Engaged

San Pedro made their push after the break, with Rowland finally erupting for 10 third-quarter points including a poster dunk and a key steal that led to a fast-break bucket. Tyrell Griffith added physicality in the lane, and Arana controlled pace. But Griga refused to fade—Brackett exploded for 11 points in the frame, hitting back-to-back threes late to tie the game at 50 heading into the fourth. The crowd, and the drama, reached peak intensity.

Fourth Quarter: Toe-to-Toe Until the Buzzer

The final frame was a prize fight. Brackett and Rowland went bucket-for-bucket, with Griga crashing the boards hard behind Laurie and Milton—until a significant blow landed off the court. James Milton, a key presence on both ends, suffered a painful laceration between the fingers on his shooting hand that forced him out of the game. Without his interior presence, Griga had to dig deep to protect the paint and generate second-chance points. Still, they battled on. They briefly led 64–62 after a Conorque triple, and the Russell Chiste Garcia Stadium roared in anticipation. But as Kevin Laurie stole the ball and charged downcourt for what looked like a buzzer-beating layup, Keon Rowland delivered a dramatic block in transition to silence the crowd and force overtime, knotted at 66.

Overtime: Sharks Hold Their Nerve

OT was a tactical grind. Rowland and Arana made key plays—none bigger than Rowland’s clutch layup to give San Pedro a 75–71 edge. Brackett hit another triple to pull Griga within one, but Arana sank two free throws with 26 seconds left and Griga’s final heave fell short. Ball game. Sharks win, hearts break in Griga.

Final Word

This was championship-level basketball in early June. Deshawn Brackett was otherworldly—33 points, 11-of-24 shooting, 7-for-10 at the line, and a will to win unmatched. But San Pedro, led by Arana (22 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists) and Rowland (19 points), executed late and showed the kind of poise worthy of a top-ranked squad.

Both teams walk away knowing they may see each other again—with even higher stakes.

Top Performers

Team Trends

• Griga: Shot just 19.2% from three and had 24 turnovers. Brackett carried the offense, but the supporting cast shot a combined 6-for-31.
• San Pedro: Won the rebounding battle 70–51 and scored 25 second-chance points. Their depth and late-game composure were the difference.

Watch out—this rivalry is only heating up.