Mercantile services win Basketball 'double'

by S.M. Jiffrey ABDEEN - Kandy Sports Corr.

BASKETBALL: A fine third quarter performance by Mercantile Services saw them stage a magnificent rally to beat Sri Lanka Air Force 75 points to 61 in the final to become champions at the 48th men's Basketball Senior National organised by the Kandy District Basketball Association on behalf of Sri Lanka Basketball Federation and played under lights at Kingswood college courts in Kandy on Friday night. At half-time it was Air Force Cagers who led 38-32.

With this win the Mercantile Services won the double as they earlier won the championship for women by defeating the Sri Lanka Navy 58-51 also played at the same venue.

The Mercantile Services, having several well-known names in their ranks, put up a fine team effort to clinch the issue against their better opponents.

The first quarter saw the Mercantile services in full cry leading 18-11 through some shooting by Roshan Fernando.

But the second quarter belonged to the Airmen who put up on effervescent display to score 27-14 and thereby 38-32 by the lemons.

But the gallant Mercantile Services team did not allow its game to slipaway as they collected the rebounds wall and upset the airmen with some clean passes to run up a score of 21-9 in the third quarter ann this helped them to regain the lead to 53-47.

The last quarter turned out to be a thriller with the airmen trying to bridge the 6 point deficit while the Mercantile Services not resting on their laurels and consolidated their position by adding to their tally. Mercantile Services finally won this quarter 22-14 and put the issue beyond doubt.

Main scorers for Mercantile Services were Roshan Randima (18), Pradeep Pushpakumara (17), Roshan Fernando (12). For Air Force

Eranda Umayanga (18), Anthony Benito (17) and S.S. Waheesan (13) scored the most of the points. Ajith Kuruppu and Prasad Ranasinghe refereed.

Earlier in the afternoon, Mercantile Services women won the Senior Nationals of Women by defeating Sri Lanka Navy 58-51 in the final after the losess had led 26-25 at half time.

Top scorers for Mercantile Services were Benita Thalagala (14), Dilmini Fernando (14) and Kumarin Silva (16).

For Navy Solengi Gunasinghe (20), Inoka Sandamali (12) and Sulochana Ratnayake (9) scored.

Anuradha Wijesinghe and Ranil Suranga refereed.

The Chief Minister of the Central Province and the President of the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation Sarath Ekanayake was the chief guest and he distributed the main awards along with the Area Commander for Central Province Brigadier Senerath Bandara, Principal Kingswood College, Ranjith Chandrasekera, President, Peradeniya Training College, H.H. Ariyadasa, Ms. Ranjani and others.

The individual awards for the three tournaments went to the following who were adjudged the Most Outstanding Player in the three categories.

Level Two Men: S.M.P.Y Samaraweera (Sri Lanka University

Senior Championship Women: Benita Thalagala (Mercantile Services).

Senior Championship Men: Roshan Fernando (Mercantile Services).

The Sri Lanka University won the men's Level Two Championship by defeating Kandy District 68 points to 61 at Trinity College courts, Kandy. At half-time Sri Lanka University led 28-21.

Jaffna District clinched the third place in this segment by defeating Kurunegala District 60-42 at St. Anthony's Girls College courts. At half-time Jaffna led 30-8.

The consolation championship for women was won by Sri Lanka Air Force who beat Sri Lanka Schools 56-49 in Colombo.

Hambantota District won the Consolation finals for men by defeating Sri Lanka Schools also played in Colombo.