The two semi-final matches of the Herbert Cup 2017 were played during the morning hours of Saturday. Sri Lanka Army took on Sri Lanka Police while Sri Lanka Air Force faced-off with Jaffna DBA.
Sri Lanka Army V Sri Lanka Police
Sri Lanka Police coming into this game had won two out of their three games. Sri Lanka Army was unbeaten as they had won both the matches they played prior to the semi-final clash.
Sri Lanka Police BC led the game inside the first couple of minutes by four points as the scores read 6-2. Yet the Soldiers gaining their momentum back in hand, led the game by six points 14-8 towards the end of the second quarter. Yet, both the teams increasing the scoring momentum took on each other neck to neck. At a point Police BC led the game 25-20 but at the end of first half Sri Lanka Army once again led the game 36-28.
Sri Lanka Army was on top of their rebounds as most of the points scored by them were from the second attempts they took at the nets. Even though both the teams were in the battle towards the final in a tense manner, the Soldiers emerged winners as the final score read 73-60.
Arul from Sri Lanka Police BC speaking to ThePapare.com after the match said,
“It’s disappointing to lose the game but I think we played well as a team. Hoping to win the consolation final and secure the third place”.
Captain of Sri Lanka Army BC Dilan Sampath, speaking with ThePapare.com said,
“We played well as a team and the most important factor is even the youngsters played well in the match. So with that winning combination we are hoping to win the final of this tournament”.
Photo Album : Hebert Memorial Cup Basketball Tournament – Semi Finals
Sri Lanka Air Force v Jaffna DBA
It was an interesting clash between these two teams as Sri Lanka Air Force marked as experience campaigners and Jaffna DBA were compiled with lesser experience players in comparison. Even though Jaffna DBA did not possess a handful of experience they performed well throughout the tournament as they only had one loss to Sri Lanka Army coming into the second semi-final.
Both the teams adapted into their own rhythm very early in the game yet the Airmen led the by eight points at the end of the first quarter. Scores read 14-06.
Sri Lanka Air Force with their experience gradually dominated the game as the half time scores read 33-20. During the third quarter of the game, Sri Lanka Air Force went on to score 25 points which helped to place themselves comfortably in the winning position.
Sri Lanka Air Force qualified to play in the final clash after winning the match 71-45.
Gavi Cooray, a senior player in the Sri Lanka Air Force BC speaking to ThePapare.com said,
“We have been performing well during the recent past and we are happy that we are keeping up our consistency up. Hope to win the final and end the tournament on a high note”.
