Tigers vs Bricklayers
Two teams who pulled off upsets to reach the semis battle it out to see who gets to make it to the chip and try to prevent Muzz from his second trophy. Hyder leads a talented team (though according to him not talented enough) against one of the hottest teams of the second half in the Astoria Tigers. These two teams have different styles and whoever can dictate the pace will likely end up with the win. Let’s dive into the matchups.

PG: David vs Jubar
David is a new face to the league but has made an impressive impression on his rookie season. He has the ball on a string at all times and can get to the rim with smooth moves but keeps you honest with a quick efficient pull up. He’s a great playmaker and one of the toughest rebounding guards in the league. Jubar is all grit and toughness. He likes a long three and will try to introduce some physicality in his minutes but his role is more of the coach leading the team.
Edge: Bricklayers

SG: Umer vs Ruhel
Umer Saleem for MVP is what we are hearing some of the streets (read Hyder) are saying. He is absolutely a contender for the award, being one of the best scorers in the league and always brings a toughness and grit that keeps his team in every game they play. He plays a combination of head down drive through everyone basketball with the finesse moves to break down any defender. Ruhel is a former mvp and when he’s hot he may be the smoothest scorer in Retro. He was having a down year but has picked it up in the last few games shifting his game to be a better passer and the jump shot has come back after being quiet to start the season. This is a marquee matchup but Umer is having maybe his best season ever.
Edge: Bricklayers

SF: Atif vs Danyel
These players couldn’t be more different. Atif is a quick moving player who wants to create havoc on defense to lead the transition and get quick points. He also is the best cherry picker CBL Retro has ever seen. Danyel is having a great season as a complimentary piece on this Tigers squad. He is allowed to roam the perimeter finding open spots behind the three and let it rain. He is doing it very well this season and has a knack for the dramatic, scoring in bunches or hitting a three that shifts momentum often times. We give him the advantage for how well he has been lately and three points are more than two.
Edge: Tigers

PF: Fardeen vs Ali Mian
You can put Ali Mian who has been a great addition to this team or Hyder who gives you a little bigger body to match up against Fardeen but it honestly would not matter. Fardeen is a big with guards handles. He gets to the rim at will and isn’t afraid to take a jump shot, though he isn’t having the best shooting season. He can get overly emotional and lose his head during the game and that is a dangerous thing. But talent alone tilts this matchup in a big way.
Edge: Tigers

C: Idris vs Riz
This may be the biggest age gap matchup we have ever seen in this league. Idris is young with the energy to go up and down all game no problem. He leads the league in blocks and is a problem down low. He has one weak point and the problem is his counter part will absolutely take advantage of that. Idris is a small frame and can’t hold up when a big body tries to go at him down low. Riz is an expert at that, he knows all the tricks. He will try to impose his will and get the foul count up so he can do what he likes down there. Idris is not of an offensive threat to try and make Riz work on the other end. For that we give Riz the advantage.
Edge: Tigers

Bench
Rahim and Mo vs Hyder and Waqar
Rahim is the most talented player here but the duo of Waqar and Hyder means you can go offense with Hyder and his decent three point shooting or Waqar who is a great defender. Mo is a nice complimentary piece who thrives on hustle plays. These matchups are a wash.
Edge: Even

The edge goes slightly to the Tigers but this should be a heavily contested matchup with lots of back and forth. It will be very fun and we will go a slight lean to Tigers solely because of this hot stream they have been on since the break.
Tigers 58 Bricklayers 54