Defending champions Colombo BC started their campaign with a three point victory over HSC Blacks in a game which ran down to the last ten seconds. Colombo lads rolled out for 51-48 at full time.
The game commenced at fifteen minutes past eight at Hendry Pedris Basketball Complex. The traditional jump ball was won by the home team as Tushan Dhramasena drew first blood swishing off the nets with a three pointer. Rashmika ticked up the scoreboard as they led the game 5-0 inside the second minute. Sudesh Ahamed sitting out in the bench due to an injury was a huge blow for the Colombo lads as they did not start the game dazzling as usual. Rebounds came in handy for both the sides but HSC was on top of the cards during the maiden quarter as Tushan and Rashmika etched most of both defensive and offensive rebounds. Home team opting for the man-to-man defense did a top-notch job as they led the first quarter with five points.
Rebounds kept falling in the safe hands of the home team as they increased their lead in the second quarter, with all the second chances they had in the basket. The Colombo lads did have a clear plan on their offence but they failed to execute it out on the court and ended-up passing the ball too much. The defense of both the sides were good but the difference was the home team passed around the ball and attempted the shot at the apt time. Praneeth Udumalagala back on the home courts from the USA took a considerable time to settle down and they were lucky that it did not cost them the game. HSC scored nine points in the second quarter while Colombo lads scored ten point. The game was called off for water with HSC leading comfortably.
Half time – Colombo Basketball Club – 19 HSC Black – 25
Colombo BC was in desperate need to settle themselves in the game and to restrict the flow of points from the other so that HSC would not build on the lead. Doing exactly what the doctor ordered during the ten minute break, the Colombo lads tightened their screws in the defense and swapped the momentum of the home team. Tall man Gayan De Croos etched the rebounds better when compared to the first half but there is so much potential in him to do more. As pressure piled up on the home team, their offense started to become a bit scrappy when they started missing shots outside the arc and as a result the opponents closed down the deficit. Praneeth Udumalagala handled Tushan well in the quarter as he did not swish the nets and did not etch the rebounds as he did in the first quarter. 
The final six hundred seconds commenced with Colombo lads needing just four more points to square the scoreboard. They did so in the next couple of minutes as the score cards depicted equal figures of 38-38 with two mid-range jumpers swishing off the nets. With two minutes and twelve seconds to go down the game was still squared 45-45. Praneeth showing maturity in the game teaming up with Roshan Randima ran a couple of fast breaks which took the game away from the home team. It was indeed disappointing to see how the home team couldn’t handle the pressure after the splendid start. HSC Blacks had ten seconds on the clock to shoot off a three pointer to equalize the game and step into an extra five minutes. It was tight defense from the Colombo lads and even though Tushan Dharamsena had the chance he could just not put it away or perhaps it was not his lucky day.
Full time – Colombo Basketball Club – 51 HSC Blacks – 48
ThePapare.com player of the match – Charith Perera (Colombo BC)
