The game started a few minutes later than anticipated due to the unexpected drizzle from the sky, but this did not affect the enthusiasm of the players. The players from Navy got possession of the ball from the jump start.
Pramila Fernando drew first blood by swishing the nets outside the arc. Navy team displayed their excellence in shooting with Pramila Fernando and Gunavijaya scoring a couple more from downtown. Sailors were on top in offence which gave them a strong lead against the Army as they led the maiden quarter 22 – 7
In addition to the offensive strategy Navy team opted for a man to man defense making it more difficult for the Army to score any goals. Army BC focusing more on the offensive aspect of the game missed out on their defense. Even though the priority was set in the offence they did not do a top notch job to swap the fate of the game. Navy BC getting the better of the weakend defense scored freely and sealed the first half of the game. By half time Navy maintained their solid lead against the Army BC.
Half time – Navy Basketball Club – 42 vs. Army Basketball Club – 18
After the ten minute break Army BC stepped into the court with the attitude of ambushing the sailors even though it was a bad day in office for them. Sanuja and Chandima from scored nine points in the quarter but the lack of ball handling did not help them to reduce the deficit and lead the game.
Navy opened the last quarter with a 29 point lead. The defense by the Army BC was not the best and the sailors swished the nets at ease. The game was already on board to sail away but the Soldiers were not ready to let it go. But it was just not their day. Bollegala, Sandamali, and Pramila Fernando are some players from Navy who managed to score passed the defense to record a victory with a wide margin.
Full time – Navy Basketball Club – 70 vs. Army Basketball Club – 37
Diyuni Abeysinghe, Captain of the Navy team sharing her victory comments, “This was an easy game considering completed matches. We had a better coordination between the players and our target is to move past the semi-finals and take home the championship”
ThePapare.com player of the match – Pramila Fernando (Navy BC)
