The A Division Men`s Final of the Colombo championship Basketball league was played between Colombo BC and HSC Blues at a packed venue. Colombo BC successfully defended their title as they secured a 63-58 win at extra time.
The match commenced with the traditional jump ball start. HSC Blues won the first possession and drew first blood. Both the teams were tight in defense changing their strategies from man-to-man to zonal in accord to the offense of the opposition. Both the teams were equally matched with height and it was a tough ask to etch a rebound as all ten players contested for it. The maiden quarter ended when the score board read 11-11 promising a nail biter.
Video Replay – Colombo BC vs HSC Blues (Colombo Super League 2015- Final )
The second quarter commenced as the lead swapped between the two teams in every possession as all shots they opted for swished the nets. Colombo BC was on top of the cards in the free-throws and rebounds as the tallest man in court Gayan De Cross played valuable minutes. Young blood of both the teams were red hot in form. Sameera Chanaka from HSC Blues teamed alongside the experienced campaigner Randima Sooriyaarachchi as he helped him to control the pace and the starategies. Praveen Ganlath from the other end was swishing nets at ease as he scored 13 points and ended as the third best point scorer for his outfit. HSC Blues stepped into half time with the psychological advantage as they led the game by two points.
Half time – HSC Blues – 29 Colombo Basketball Club – 27
Both the teams showed signs of settling down into the game during the third quarter and they played a much slower game when compared to the first two quarters. HSC Blues upped their game in offense as they scored sixteen points in the quarter while Colombo BC managed only twelve. Roshan Fernando who was in sublime form throughout the tournament was not himself during the finals. He was just way off target. Timothy Niithushan was guarded well by the defense of the Colombo BC as he only scored eight points for the entire match. Mithila Abeysekara top scored for HSC Blues scoring seventeen points and Roshan Sooriyarachchi followed him right behind scoring sixteen points.
The final six hundred seconds commenced with a six point HSC Blues lead. They managed to retain the lead by three points till the end of the quarter. The clock was stopped with 4.2 seconds remaining as Colombo BC called for a time out. HSC Blues led the game 56-53 and it was just a matter of a three pointer for Colombo lads to squares the game and head into extra time. Charith Perera got hold off the outbound ball and passed it on to Praneeth Udumalagala who swished the nets off the right side of the arc and scored a buzzer beater equaling the score board as they stepped into five minutes of extra time.
With pressure piling up on both the teams they missed scoring opportunities in the first five possessions at extra time. Both the teams missed free throws equally and the score board read the same with just two minutes to go down. Colombo BC scored seven points in the last two minutes and the Blues only managed two. Colombo BC defended astutely and retained the trophy for another year.
Full time – HSC Blues – 58 Colombo Basketball Club – 63
ThePapare.com player of the finals – Praneeth Udumalagala (Colombo BC)
