With a furious start Asian International School managed to settle Gateway College to 51 points in contrast to 61 by A.I.S.
Asian International School entered the game smoothly compared to Gateway College Colombo. From the tip off onwards using short quick passes Asian International School kept slowly moving up the scores. They were able to score three consecutive baskets at the start. Taher at number 6 for AIS was able to score the first from the tip off and second from a steal off Karn Desilva. Though the steal wasn’t easy with gateway players trying to tap the ball as Taher grabbed it off Karan’s hands, he was able to score his second basket comfortably through the center with two steps and a jump from the three point line. The most significant basket for Gateway was a three pointer from Nichula LIyanage the captain of Gateway College Colombo. He was just a few steps away from the center circle as he positioned himself for a quick throw as the bell signaled the end of first quarter. Yet with the initial line of baskets Asian International School was leading the quarter by 7 points.
(First Quarter – Asian International School 17 : Gateway College Colombo 10)
Mantha Perera pushed the ball to the corner of the court to get an advantageous start for the Asian International School; however, Dimitri Gebre was able to score the first basket for the second quarter from the free throw line. Gateway College Colombo was at a major drawback; failures in rebound limited their baskets to six. Out of which one was a through a miss tap by Taher awarding gateway a free throw.
(Second Quarter – Asian International School 35 : Gateway College Colombo 21)
Reaching the third quarter Taher at number 6 had familiarized himself with Gateway College’s defenses. As soon as he broke through the defenses of Number 12 and 14 of Gateway College scoring the first two baskets of the quarter, the coach realized it’s time to utilize more of him. Instead of calling him out, the coach then decided to get Taher to play through the third quarter as well. Meanwhile the only player Gateway College was counting on was the captain himself. Nichula was off to scoring but with the lack of support from rebound his continuity dropped. Melantha picked up from that point and shared with the captain to bring in 5 baskets together.
(Third Quarter – Asian International School 48 : Gateway College Colombo 33)
Knowing the crucial need for extra baskets, Nichula was on fire from the beginning of the fourth quarter. Gunning for three-pointers, he finally succeeded at his third try. Timing perfectly against the block of Praveen, Nichula was able to shoot all the way from the corner for his first three-pointer in the game. Asian International School drawn back from their offensive attack, just managed to tie with Gateway in the last two quarters. Yet with the high point gap that resulted early on in the game they were able to beat the Gateway College by 15 points.
(Fourth Quarter – Asian International School 66 : Gateway College Colombo 51)
