MEX - Soles edge seven-game thriller

MEXICALI (LNBP) - Soles have been crowned LNBP league champions after winning the decisive game in the best-of-seven final against Halcones from Xalapa 90-75.

In winning the title, Silvio Santander's team stopped Halcones from retaining the crown they won last year.

The Mexicali-based outfit quickly took a 2-0 lead in the tie, demonstrating why they are considered to have the best defence in the league.

In Game One, James Penny top-scored with 23 points and Greg Lewis added 19 and eight rebounds to help Soles win 87-69.

Game Two saw Lewis top-score with 27 points in a 90-83 triumph.

However, once the tie moved to Xalapa, the 2005 champions were a much stronger force as they drew level at two-apiece.

Their first victory was a thrilling 96-94 win in Game Three, with 23 points by Andre Laws. Greg Lewis poured in 34 points in a losing cause.

Jonson Nate netted 22 points in Game Four as the hosts won 83-78.

Soles took the lead again by winning Game Five 85-92 in Xalapa, the last away game for them, and were expected to easily wrap up the tie at their home Auditorio del Estado in Game Six.

But Laws had other ideas, as he led Halcones with 15 points and Victor Avila added 14 as the visitors claimed an emphatic 80-69 win, breaking Soles' 100% winning home record for the season in the penultimate game of the championship.

Finally in Game Seven played on Sunday night, Soles managed to put the defeat behind them and claim a decisive 90-75 triumph, which gave them the title.

Lewis again demonstrated why he is set to be awarded the finals' MVP, as he top-scored with 35 points, while DeJuan Wheat added a further 25 as the hosts eventually prevailed.

PA Sports