Austin, TX – The Jacksonville Giants (19-1) will attempt to win their third Consecutive ABA National Championship as they prepare for a Final 8 playoff battle with the Northeast Conference Champion, Pittsburgh based, Steel City Yellow Jackets. The Giants are trying to be the first ABA team to win the National Championship in three consecutive seasons . The Giants are attempting to win their Fifth Championship in franchise history.
“It’s a very exciting time of year,” said Giants head coach Jerry Williams.
A victory for the Giants will put them in the ABA Final Four on Friday evening. A Final Four win will advance the Giants to the championship game on Saturday. This seasons ABA tournament is taking place in Austin, Texas. Last season the Giants won their second straight ABA National Championship with a win over the Chicago Groove in Baltimore, Maryland. The Giants also defeated Chicago in the 2016 Championship game in Laredo, Texas.
Jacksonville, which ended the regular season ranked number one in the Power Rankings, will rely on a strong nucleus of veterans in the showdown with Pittsburgh. Veteran point guard Maurice Mickens will lead the offensive charge as the reigning ABA MVP will look to land big shots against a strong Pittsburgh defense. Center and former ABA MVP Jermaine Bell will also look to make a prescience in the Giants inside shooting game. Guard Bernard Nugent will also be a factor in the contest. Nugent leads the team in steals and has also improved his offensive play this season.
“We are very excited for the opportunity to play in the tournament. The ABA has very talented and competitive teams,” said Williams.
The Giants will look to continue the momentum of the regular season. Jacksonville ended the 2017-18 regular season at #1 in the ABA Power Rankings, edging out the undefeated Kentucky Enforcers and the one loss Austin Bats.
