The second day of the 51st senior National Championship men level II got underway at the Gateway College Kandy basketball court earlier today. The first match of the evening session was scheduled for the day was Puttalam District BA and Southern District BA.

Photos: Senior Nationals 2017 | Day Two | Level II (Men)

Photos of the Senior Nationals Basketball 2017 | Day One| Level II (Women)

There were two matches in the second half of the day’s play which were the group stages of the tournament.

SL Universities BA Vs Kurunegala District BA

A strong dominant performance from Kurunegala District proved too much for the University team today when they met for the final group stage match of the tournament. After the defeat to Kandy earlier this morning this was a must win match for both teams to qualify. University initially took the lead but it was for a very short period of time because the Kurunegala team soared attack after attack towards the oppositions loop. At the end it was 27-13 with Kurunegala leading.

Half-time: SL universities (27) – (13) Kurunegala BA

Both the teams then settled into the game made it a spectacle for the viewers who had gathered around the court to cheer the teams. There were very little fouls from both the teams when compared to the other matches that were played today. Both the teams were more concerned about scoring points rather than getting their defensive act together and trying to stop the flow of points. However Kurunegala proved too strong for the University team to match.

Full-time: SL Universities (64) – (47) Kurunegala BA


Puttalam District BA Vs Southern District BA.

Maybe it was because the southern team had played a match in the morning that they looked tired and scrappy or maybe it was that Puttalam District had learnt from their mistakes from their defeat to Kandy yesterday. Puttalam made a brilliant start of the Jump ball scoring a 3 point screamer. They didn’t stop from there they extended their lead to 12 points without giving the southern province to score. The 2 on 3 defenses didn’t seem to work on the Puttalam players who easily penetrated the defense. Southern province did manage to score some points through free throws and a couple of 3 pointers. At lemons score read 30 – 16 in favour of Puttalam

Half-time: Puttalam District BA (30) – (16) Southern District BA

Southern District however got their game organized in the second half. At the end of the third quarter they equaled the Puttalam team 40 all. Puttalam also helped them with awarding the opposition with some easy free throws.

Senior Nationals Basketball Championship 2017 | Vote for your favorite team

With the senior nationals basketball championship commencing on the 3rd of February to 18th February we give you a chance to select your favorite team…

Finally southern district took the lead the coach of the Puttalam district called for a time out to change their strategy which they had been implementing. After the pep talk and the change it was all Puttalam again. They were unstoppable afterwards and scored the highest points score so far in this tournament.

Full-time: Puttalam District BA (49) – (61) Southern District BA

Speaking to the captain of Puttalam District coach after their win he shared his views with representatives of ThePapare: ‘We wanted to win this match and qualify to the semi finals which we have done and we are happy about it. Here onwards its knockouts we will try t win the tournament by playing like we played today’