Avant Garde BC qualified for the semi-finals of the Colombo Super League as they beat Colombo Bulls. The scoreboard read 81-52 at full time.
The match commenced with the traditional jump ball start and Lakshan Samarasinghe drew first blood, for Avant, as he shot a three pointer from outside the arc. He hit his form within no time as he dished out a couple more three pointers in quick succession. The defense of the Avant lads was not the best and the opponents penetrated their line and drew fouls. All the fouls were converted into points at the free throw line which helped The Bulls reduce the deficit and get back into the game. Avant was off-radar both defensively and with rebounds. The Bulls captured most of the rebounds and kept the scoreboard ticking. The game was squared at 16 all at the end of the maiden quarter.
After the two minute break, the Avant lads, did exactly what the doctor ordered and came back into the game by rectifying their mistakes in both rebounds and defense. Handling the pressure on their shoulders was never a strength of the Colombo Bulls. As Avant penetrated their defense and drew fouls the defense of the Bulls collapsed. It affected their offense too, as they missed out on shots which blew out the momentum they had gained in the 1st quarter. Avant, having the services of the experienced campaigner Chamath Dhanawamsa, maintained the pressure. He controlled the game from one corner to the other as Avant Garde BC led the game by eighteen points at half time.
Half time – Avant Garde BC – 42 Colombo Bulls – 24
Colombo Bulls started off the third quarter with a sagging defense strategy while Avant Garde BC opted for a man to man defense. There was some good ball play in offense by the Avant lads as they made sure to feed the ball to each and every one on the court. The Colombo Bulls opted for a 2-2-1 full court press at the half way mark of the quarter which ultimately failed. Avant BC had height advantage as well as the speed hence routing a full court defense was not much of an ask. The Colombo Bulls is a team that is comprised of a lot of young players and their exposure at this level is, without a doubt, a good investment for the future.
The Bulls opted to start the final six hundred seconds with a full court press strategy and Avant Garde counter attacked in a brilliant manner. Height advantage played its part with Avant blocking many of the Bull’s shots. National Skipper Prageeth Pushpakumara started off the game for Avant and ended it well in the final quarter. Lakshan Samarasinghe, who is in sublime form spent some valuable time on court.
Full time – Avant Garde BC – 81 Colombo Bulls – 52
ThePapare.com player of the match – Chamath Dhanawamsa (Avant Garde BC)
