The Punta Gorda Panthers may have been eliminated in the first round of the Belize Elite Basketball League, but the spotlight remains on PG’s own Arik Nicholas. Nicholas has been instrumental in leading the Cayo Western Ballaz to their first-ever appearance in the finals. Over the past week, much debate surrounded the regular season MVP race, with Nicholas and Coope Lopez emerging as the top contenders. That rivalry reached its peak when the Western Ballaz faced the Belize City Thunderbolts in a do-or-die semifinal match. In the closing moments, Nicholas took control of the game, sinking the decisive shot as fans erupted with chants of “MVP.” again, Lopez and the Thunderbolts now out of the tournament, the Western Ballaz advanced to the championship round, and Nicholas once again stands at the center of attention this time as a leading candidate for Finals MVP.