Sri Lanka Army will take on Sri Lanka Police while Sri Lanka Air Force will take on Jaffna DBA in the two semifinals of the Herbert Cup 2017.
In the morning session of the second day of the tournament, Sri Lanka Police BC took on Sri Lanka Air Force BC in the first match. Even though Sri Lanka Air Force was marked as favorites, Sri Lanka Police was never ready to step down.
Sri Lanka Police got on to brilliant start as they led the 6-0 inside the first five minutes not letting the opponents to score a single point. Yet, the inform airmen got back into the game as they led the game 21-17 at the end of the first quarter.
Both the teams were on equal foot as they found momentum and kept on ticking the scoreboard. The game was squared 34 all at the end of the first half. It was the unforced errors from both the sides which decided the fate from that point onwards.
Even though Police BC were able to lead the game by a couple of points at the end of the third quarter, Osanda Umayang`s final shot swished the nets at ease to give airmen an easy couple of points as they went on to win the game 67-65 at full time.
Susil Udukumbura, coach of Sri Lanka Air Force BC speaking with ThePapare.com said,
“It was a fantastic game. For the last two games the team was bit of rhythm. That is the reason why we couldn’t score freely as we used to do”.
Photo Album : Hebert Memorial Cup Basketball Tournament – Day 2
Buddhika Kumadapperuma coach of Sri Lanka Police BC speaking with ThePapare.com said,
“We had a good chance of winning the game, but I think during the last minutes of the game with the pressure our players lost a bit of their confidence and that affected us heavily to be on the losing side”.
Sri Lanka Army BC took on Jaffna DBA in the second match. It was tense game from the start since the winner of this game were able to top the table in Group B. Even though Jaffna DBA stepped into the game with a winning attitude, they were unable to convert into a win this match. Sri Lanka Army BC won the match 61-54 at full time and topped the table.
The third match was played between the Batticaloa Blues and Mutwal BC. The hosts having a nightmare in the tournament had lost both the matches they played coming into their third encounter. There wasn’t any positive sign for the hosts as they trailed the game 40-21 at half-time. Mutwal BC continuing the dominance went on to win the game 68-51.
The fourth match for the day was played between Police BC v Batticaloa Blue. Police BC completely dominating the game went on to win it 69-58 at full time and place themselves in the semi-final.
Captain of Sri Lanka Police BC team I.Jayasundara speaking to ThePapare.com said,
“After the 2013 this is the first time we are selected to the semi-final stage of the Herbert Cup. Even though during the recent past we were on the back-foot we have gained our momentum now and we are playing good basketball. Hope to win the semi-final and be a part of the final game”.
Unbeaten Airmen took on Mutwal BC in the fifth game for the day. It was a comfortable win for the inform airmen as they won the game with a thirty plus margin when the final score read 71-42.
Greshan Anthony, Captain of Sri Lanka Air Force speaking to ThePapare.com said,
“Mentally we are really good position to win this tournament as we are coming here after winning the 51st senior national”.
The final match for the day was played between Batticaloa Red V Sri Lanka Army BC. Even though the Batticaloa Blues did not have a chance to advance into the semi-final stage, Batticaloa Reds had a chance if they were able to win this match. Yet, the reds were unable to capitalize on the chance and win the match. Sri Lanka Army led the game up-front and won the game 57-79 and places themselves in the semi-final.
Photo Album : Hebert Memorial Cup Basketball Tournament – Day 2
Dilan Sampath, Captain of the Sri Lanka Army BC speaking with ThePapare.com said,
“We are hoping to defeat Police BC in the semi-final game and place ourselves in the final”.
So, from Group A Sri Lanka Air Force and Sri Lanka Police have been placed in the semi-final stage. From Group B Sri Lanka Army and Jaffna DBA have booked their spots in the semi-final stage.
