By Dhammika Ratnaweera
Mercantile Services Basketball Association (MSBA) clinched a double by winning both men’s and women’s championships at the 52nd Senior National Basketball Championships concluded at the Air Force Basketball Indoor Stadium, Bambalapitiya on Saturday (12).
It was good competition in both finals, but from the beginning, MSBA teams packed with experienced players to control well the game by making a good effort to win the titles. Inthe women’s final MSBA defeated Sri Lanka Army 61 -48 while at the men’s final once again MSBA outclassed Colombo Distrcit BA (CDBA) 68-47 to win the title more aggressively.
At the women’s final soldiers began with an early lead and MSBA team could not performed up to expectations well during the first half . However both teams made more competitive to collect their points during the second quarter and MSBA managed to get 12 points while Army ladies maintain the lead with collecting 16 points. At the half time MSBA were leading the game 30-23 with seven points lead
However from the third quarter MSBA fought back strongly to collect their points to take the lead and they made their maximum effort to dominate the game with adding 18 points and Army had to satisfied with only seven points . At the forth quarter MSBA well controlled the game with collecting their points with more confidence to clinched the title. MSBA team piled up 19 points while Army had to satisfied with only 12 points and final score read 61-48 favor of MSBA.
Meanwhile men’s final between MSBA and Colombo District BA(CDBA) made some thrilling moments with very good competitive style during all four quarters but MSBA had very good start with leading 15-11 after the first quarter. The second quarter also very close with BSBA lead 15-13 to take the lead . At the half time MSBA finished their first hurdle with 34 -24 with ten points lead . However entire third quarter was dominated by the MSBA with adding 20 points while CDBA had to satisfied with only five points . With this lead MSBA played with more confidence to finish the fourth quarter comfortably . However CDBA was down in all departments, shooting, rebounding, fitness, offense, all were below par especially at the fourth half and MSBA clinched the title easily with completed good double to take men and women champions at this Senior National Cager Championships.
Be the first to comment