Neptune’s shock defeat of Tigers opens the door for Lakers

WHAT a difference a couple of days can make. After losing Wednesday night’s derby game in Tralee, Gleneagle Lakers had abandoned all hope of making it to the quarter-finals of the NIVEA for Men SuperLeague as Abrakebabra Tigers, it would appear, faced something of a formality when they entertained the Southern Conference basement team, Neptune, on Saturday night.

But Neptune produced what was their best performance of a disastrous season to succeed where Killarney failed by snatching the points from the claws of the Tigers and, in the process, eliminated them from the play-offs and allowed Lakers back in.

It was a sensational end to the season for Neptune and just the finish Coach Michael Evans had been looking for as the foundation stone for their next campaign.

But the 79-66 drubbing left Tralee, who appeared to have guaranteed themselves a place in the quarter-finals midweek, pondering on what might have been.

Neptune had done Lakers a huge favour and, coincidentally, Ger Noonan and, more especially, Dejan Smith, did their former Gleneagle Lakers teammates a huge favour, with starring roles in what was nothing short of a shock win.

MVP Smith top-scored on 22 points with Noonan, who has been revelling under Coach Evans, playing a pivotal role in the second quarter to lay the foundation for the Neptune success.

Tigers, on the other hand, can reflect on a night of poor performances underscored by some shocking statistics - notably seven from 31 three-point attempts. Australian Luke O’Hea had a night to forget with just six points after missing all 10 of his three-point attempts.

The opening quarter saw Neptune race into a 5-0 but Tigers fought back to lead by one, 23-22 going into the second.

Noonan then took control with a string of baskets to put Neptune 10 points clear, 43-35, at half time.

Tralee got back to within four points of the visitors but Neptune had all the answers in the final quarter after a Marcus Walley three-pointer gave them a seven-point advantage and they never looked back.

The final standings in the Northern Conference are: 1, Merry Monk Ballina; 2, Roma St Vincent’s; 3, DART Killester while in the South they stand: 1, UCC Demons; 2, Limerick Lions; 3, Gleneagle Lakers.

Next weekend Limerick Lions are at home to DART Killester in their battle for a place in the semi-finals at The Mardyke Arena the following weekend.

Gleneagle Lakers, after their brush with fate last week, will be quite happy to travel to Glasnevin to play Roma St Vincent’s.