The ‘A’ division men`s final of the Mercantile Basketball Tournament 2014 was held between HNB and DFCC Group at Otters Aquatic Club Basketball courts yesterday.
DFCC stepped into the final after close victory against Commercial Credit 56-59 in the semifinals while HNB came in after a solid victory in the semifinals against Sampath Bank 69-54. With high expectations both the sides stepped into the court to name the championship under their respective names.
DFCC started proceedings with the jump ball but failed to execute themselves into a position of scoring when HNB took advantage of it and got the turnover ball and penetrated through and drew in a foul inside the first minute of the game. Fernando converted the free-throws into points and drew first blood. DFCC squared in the next procession 2-2 with tap on the ball by Timothy Nithushan. HNB took time to settle themselves while DFCC settled themselves immediately and built on the foundation for a scoring rampage later on. Passing wide across the floor, the DFCC lads penetrated into the defense which scattered the sagging defense of HNB. Fawshan playing some good minutes defended the points that they scored at the other end which helped DFCC lead the quarter with a solid nine points.
HNB in need of a quick comeback , started off the second quarter with a four zero run reducing the deficit. Anushka Wettasinghe coming off the bench started to find touch and was passing the ball around the fellow team mates. Sankapala who had good rebounding minutes during the first quarter was substituted which was a questionable decision. HNB capitalizing that time period etched most of the offensive rebounds and converted them into points and scored more than eight points until the point where Sankapala was brought back into the game. Fawshan giving away four fouls early in the game was something to worry about as he was in fine form. HNB rectifying their mistakes during the first ten minutes started to penetrate in and draw the defenders and offload the ball to free men to make their shots. Scattering the man-to-man defense of DFCC, HNB closed down the deficit just into single digits when the game halted for lemons.
(Half time – DFCC Group – 23 HNB – 22)
The crucial second phase of the game began with DFCC ticking on the score board off a downtown shot from skipper Pushapakumara which swished the nets at ease. DFCC played fast minutes across the floor which made HNB late to settle into the game after ten minute half time break. However both teams settled down during the fifth minute mark of the third quarter and started playing into each-others pros and cons. DFCC scored twenty one points during the third quarter while HNB scored fourteen points. Fawshan even after giving away four fouls during the first phase of the game played commendable minutes saving his only life and not giving it away. Though the HNB offense was up to the standard the defense was leaking points at the other end which helped opponents lead the game by ten points at the end of the third quarter. Scoreboard read 44-36 HNB trailing.
The final ten minutes began to countdown when DFCC started to change their defense into sagging man-to-man defense against HNB. The common moral defense wins games was proven in a perfect manner when DFCC defended almost all the points they scored which bought value to their fast and competitive start. Rebounds were dying out from the HNB outfit and DFCC grabbed both defensive and offensive rebounds which put them ahead of HNB. DFCC settled themselves down to set shots when a couple of their driving lay-ups were blocked by the opposing team; which was indeed a wise decision. Though both the teams maintained an equal percentage in free throws, the amount of shots made the difference of nine points which helped DFCC to win the championship comfortably and gain their sweet revenge against HNB as they lost their league match vs. HNB.
(Full Time – DFCC Group – 65 HNB – 56)
