The first quarter final match was worked off yesterday at the Asian International School Basketball Complex. Home lads with a robust final six hundred second performance stunned the boys from Maristella College as the scoreboard read 48-37 in full time.
Even though both the teams were matched equally with talent and height, the visitors led the game at the start 3-0 for five minutes into the maiden quarter. Both the teams showed nervousness and unforced errors were on play early on. Maristella lads opting for 1-2-2 sagging defense guarded their territory well. Taheer Akbrally and Bevan Samuel the two key players of the AIS outfit were kept of the rim and it was a huge blow to the home lads in the aspect of settling their feet into the game. Rebounds were etched in a fair manner by both the teams but the Maristella lads were on top of the home side in every aspect which gave them a point lead at the end of the first.
Maristella continued their form and went on dominating the game; but AIS coming up with a counter-attack plan fought back gallantly to retain the faith of the game. Taheer Akabrally doing what he does the best, drove through the lanes and made sure he swished the nets all the time for points. Maristella lads were a bit shaky in the offense in comparison to the maiden quarter; their offensive strategy did not seem to be executed. Hasitha Perea was in desperately in need to settle his feet in the game to etch the rebounds and give AIS the second chance at the hoop. AIS opting for a man-to-man defense swapped the fate of the game as they led the game by three points as the whistle blew off for half time.
Half time – Asian International School – 18 Maristella College – 15
After a much needed ten minute break, the visitors came up with a flashy game and reduced the deficit and made their way back to the game. AIS lacked rebounds throughout the game and the lads from Negombo capitalised on the fact and kept on ticking the scoreboard. Maristella continued their sagging while AIS opted for the man-to-man defense. AIS scored nine points in the quarter while Maristella scored eleven points and trailed the game by a point at the end of the third.
The final hundred seconds was predicted to be a close tussle and an intense one. The deal for both the teams was a onetime offer, either give it all and take it back home or walk away in despair. AIS shifted gears in every aspect during the final quarter. Tightening the screws in the defense it was a stilly assassination for the visitors offense. Maris Stella did not handle pressure into the final couple of minutes. Taheer Akbrally driving through made a couple of baskets in quick succession. Visitor`s defense clattered and as a result the transition defense to offense was in a shamble. AIS saving the best into the last quarter drowned Maristella in tears of defeat.
Full time – Asian International School – 48 Maristella College – 37
ThePapare.com player of the match – Taheer Akbrally (Asian Interntaional School)
