Tight tussles at 27th MSBA League men’s basketball tournament

The unstoppable duo of Thimothy Nithushan (18) and Clinton Stallone (13) once again delivered the goods for Commercial Credit to pull off a thrilling 49-45 win over Sampath Bank at the 27th MSBA League men’s ‘A’ division basketball tournament 2017, which continued at Sir Edward Henry Pedris Stadium last week.

Commercial Credit led 26-18 at halftime. Mohamed Aazir (15) played an outstanding game for the bankers, helping them advance to the semifinals.

In another ‘A’ division match, newcomer Fair First Insurance snatched a 52-49 win over Dialog Axiata after leading 24-19 at halftime. 

The Fair First win was fashioned by Roshan Randima (20) and Isuru Perera (11). Shanaka Madushan (12), Dhanuka Dilshan (12) and Duke Rajapaksa (11) played tirelessly for Dialog. 

With this win Fair First Insurance booked a berth in the semifinals, while this loss means that Dialog Axiata bows out of the tournament. 

Sampath Bank managed to get into the semifinals of the ‘A’ division with a hard-fought 48-41 win over HNB. HNB held the upper hand at halftime with a one-point lead (19-18). HNB thus got pushed out of the semifinals.

Mohamd Aazir (11) and Chamath Dhanawansa (10) luckily clicked in the second half for Sampath Bank while Maheel Egodawatte (10) and Chalinda Fernando (10) fought well for HNB. 

The fourth team in the ‘A’ division semifinals is DFCC Bank.

In action from the men’s ‘B’ division, unbeaten MAS Holdings ‘Red’ recorded their fourth win on the trot, trouncing SriLankan Airlines ‘A’ 51-26 after leading 22-11 at halftime. Thus the MAS ‘Reds’ easily advance to the semifinals. Dinith Pathirage (15) and Jawad Mohamed (11) were outstanding for the winners. Sanjaya Wanasekera (12) and Chathun Fernando (10) stood out for the national carrier. 

In the men’s ‘C’ division Devon Rebert (20) took his season tally of baskets to 139 in six matches, but his effort was in vain as Standard Chartered Bank tasted their second defeat, losing to HSBC 53-48 in extra time. SCB through Rebert’s brilliance led 22-16 at halftime. The scores were deadlocked at 45 after the end of regulation time. 

Promoth Weerasinghe (21) turned in a sterling performance in the second period of play for HSBC, while being well supported by Praveen Perera (17) and Hasantha Gunawardena (15). Maduka Ratnayake (10) and Chendud Weerasuriya (10) played second fiddle for SCB.

In the men’s ‘C’ division Union Bank turned the table on DPMC with a fine 80-62 win. DPMC held a one-point lead (37-36) at the breather. Cleart Ashan (27), Kenneth Wickramasinghe (18) and Dhananjayan Wijendra (12) went full throttle in the second period of play for UB. Jagath Bandara (17), Nalaka Kumarasinghe (15) and Thanushka Wanigaratne (11) played well for DPMC.

In the men’s ‘C’ division DPMC tasted their second defeat two days apart, this time losing to NDB Bank 57-64. NDB led 35-29 at halftime. Jude Perera (17) and Mohamed Fawshan (11) top scored for NDB while Jagath Bandara (16) and Nalaka Kumarasinghe (11) played tirelessly for DPMC. 

With this win NDB Bank advanced to the semifinal while DPMC got pushed out. 

In the men’s ‘D’ division LOLC proved too strong for Hirdaramani Group, coming away with a comprehensive 62-36 win after leading 30-20 at halftime. Rajitha Ekanayake (26), Shahen Silva (14) and Naveed Halladeen (14) were the shooting stars for LOLC. Niroshan Pushpakumara (21) played a lone hand for Hirdaramani. 

With this win LOLC advanced to the semifinals. It was the end of the road for Hirdaramani.

In the men’s ‘D’ division Kevin Kumaran (32) and Kushan Perera (20) were outstanding in attack and defence as they propelled Commercial Bank to a fine 58-51 win over HDPL after leading 31-29 at halftime. Andrew Wijesuriya (29) too was outstanding in both departments for HDPL.

In the men’s ‘E’ division Virtusa shed little sweat while beating the Abans Group 44-20 after leading 29-5 at halftime. Sheron Logitharajah (14) and Andrew de Mel (11) were the top shooters for Virtusa.

In another men’s ‘E’ division match IFS & R&D International notched up their first win, beating Airport and Aviation services 36-27 after holding a one-point lead (13-12) at halftime. The players who rose to the occasion for the winners were Nadun Withanachchi (18) and Danister Ratnasothy (12). KHNC de Silva (18) played a lone land for A&A, who has still not won a single game. 

Meanwhile another men’s ‘E’ division encounter saw newcomers Hayleys Group go down fighting to WNS Global 40-43 after holding the advantage of a four-point lead (22-18) at halftime. R. Nilafir (14) and I. Ismail (11) turned on the heat for WNS Global in the second half. Angelo Perera (12) and R. Fernando (10) played a hard game for Hayleys.

The tournament is being continued at the same venue. So far the competition has continued for 29 days, with 100 matches being completed.