An edge of the chair semi-final in the Avant Garde Basketball Championship saw HSC Blues makes to the finals taking down Colombo BC in the last 6 seconds.
The start was ferocious. Pressing on every player from the beginning of the game, both teams didn’t allow a basket in the first 90 seconds. This eventually led to a foul, making a free throw the first basket. Harshadeya De Silva of Colombo BC breaking the defenses of Anushaka having been noted to be grabbed by his hand, allowing Colombo BC to get off the score with a free throw. In reply, Mohamed Fawshan soon brought HSC blues on the score; shooting from a yard away from the free throw line, Fawshan sent the ball in brilliantly.
The heat of the game continued, with the players scoring baskets neck and neck, no quarter given till Mithila Abeysekara found it through the defenses of Colombo BC. He was able to score three consecutive baskets for HSC; first one was off the 2 point area a comfortable shot 2 yards from the free throw line, second through the defenses as a layup and third being the furthest guy in recovering a steal. These three baskets gave HSC the advantage in the first quarter by three points with a finals score of HSC Blues: 14 to Colombo BC: 11.
The second quarter was a recovery for Colombo BC. Mithila continued to score consecutive baskets, but he was the only one who could stand the pressure of Colombo BC. On the other hand, Praveen Ganalath entering the game in the second quarter, continued to score through steels. Praveen scored the first on his own. Again grabbing on to the ball as a pass to Mithila Praveen passed over to Sudesh Ahmed for the second basket and the trend continued pushing the final score of the second quarter to HSC Blues: 20 to Colombo BC: 19.
After half time both teams were refreshed and were in a hurry to turn the game in their favor. This ended up with a series of fouls from both ends. Harshadeva De Silva, captain of Colombo BC itself was noted with two technical fouls. On to HSC Blues Thimothi gave away two fouls. So both the teams scored off the free throws to start the game in the third quarter. The most impressive performance was by Roshan Randhima at this quarter. He added three additional baskets to what Mithila already contributed, bringing an eight point gap between the two teams. Roshan was making through the defenses tricking the center player. This also gave him the advantage over fouls. With three baskets from Roshan in the final 2 minutes HSC Blues: 34 to Colombo BC: 26.
Colombo was four baskets behind the victory target at the start of the last quarter. Yet, 7 fouls from HSC blues and a magic spell by Sudesh allowed them to recover. With 2 minutes to the end finish the game HSC blues were at 38, while Colombo was just 2 points behind. Harshadeva De Silva, the captain himself was able to tie the score with a lay-in. Recuperating lost hope, Colombo BC elated, jumping off the bench. HSC Blues were on the run for their victory basket with 60 seconds left. Colombo BC coach requested for a time out if in case HSC scored a basket; and they did. With 6 seconds remaining on the clock, the table gave a time out as Roshan Fernando scored a basket for HSC blues. The time-out was intense. Colombo was in need for an extra basket and coach laid down a game plan. Back in attack, recovering the ball from the lineout Colombo was under extreme pressure. 5 Seconds to go and the pass successfully landed on Gayan De Cruze. Yet with an almost steal he missed the ball and was trying to recover. With less than three seconds to go, HSC were able to easily keep the ball swinging till the whistle went off claiming their entry to the finals. (HSC Blues: 40 to Colombo BC: 38)
