Commercial Credit gains well-earned win over MAS Holdings
Thimothi Nithushan, rounded by the reliable Thevakumar Brothers, Clinton and Brent, helped Commercial Credit and Finance to a well-earned 57-52 win after leading 27-20 at half time, over MAS Holdings ‘A’ in the ongoing 28th MSBA Basketball League Men’s ‘A’ Division Tournament 2018 at the Sir Henry Pedris and SJC courts.
This was commercial Credit’s second win. Earlier they beat DFCC Bank, 59-50 with the Thevakumar Brothers being their shooting stars.
Thimothi Nithushan, who top scored with 17 points, was named as the POG. The Thevakumar Brothers contributed with 12 points each while Andrew Alphosus (18) and Sudesh Ahamed (15) played their hearts out for MAS.
Men’s ‘B’ Division: Standard Chartered Bank scored a hard fought 56-52 win over Srilankan Airlines ‘A’, after leading 22-15 at half time. Madushka Ratnayake, who was picked as the POG, scored 15 points, while Jerad Fernando (16) and Chenud Weerawarnasuriya (12) contributed well towards the score for the bankers. Sanjaya Wanasekera (17) and Andre Jayakody (15) stood out for the national carrier.
In a well contested ‘Battle of the Bankers’, Seylan Bank finished on the right side of the ledger beating Nations Trust Bank ‘Blacks’, 60-55, after leading 27-23 at half time.
Naveen Bandara who top scored with 15 points was picked as the POG while Dhananjayapolkotuwa (13) and Malencabandugama (10) were the other scorers for Seylan Bank while Manjula Jayaratne (16) and Christy Krishanthan (15) played a tireless game for Nations Trust Bank.
Men’s ‘C’ Division: Devon Rebert (30 points) came up with a robust performance to give Union Bank a sensational 61-58 win over HSBC. Union Bank led 31-28 at half time. Clifford Shenal of Union Bank was picked as the POG. Rebert was well supported by Kenneth Wickramasinghe (12) while Hasantha Gunawardena (18), Shenuka de Alwis (15) and Praveen Perera (10) were outstanding for HSBC.
With an improved performance in the second half, NDB Bank turned tables on Ranawana & Co as they beat them 66-54. Ranawana led, 38-31 at half time. Reshan Dalpethado, who top scored for NDB with 21 points, was picked as POG. Amalika Mendis (12) and Fawshan Nilamdeen (11) gave good support to Dalpethado while A. Sunderamoorthi (20), Dilan Perera (16) and Praveen Manthika (11) played well for Ranawana.
Mihiraj Rajapaksa opened full throttle in the fourth quarter, as Kanrich Finance ran away with a surprise 56-54 with over John Keells Holdings. John Keells Holdings held a commanding 12-point lead (26-14) at half time. Mihiraj Rajapaksa, who top scored with 25 points, was picked as the POG. Siddath Senanayake (12), Lahiru Sovis (10) and Angelo Keil (10) played a tireless game for John Keells Holdings.
The experience of Chamath Dhanawansa helped Sampath Bank to pip Akbar Bros by a single point (38-37). Akbar led 19-13 at half time via their two shooting stars Thushara Jayaratne (15) and Dimitri Grabe (13). Dhanawansa from Sampath Bank was named as the POG.
Men’s ‘D’ Division:commercial Bank scored a comfortable 57-48 win over Virtusa, after leading 32-26, at half time. The top scorer for Commercial Bank, Jonathan Armugam (16) was the POG. Ahan Rukmal (11) too played well for the Bankers; Dilka Sirimanne (15) and Denver Spittel (13) stood out for Virtusa.
Two days later, Commercial Bank, once again helped by Jonathan Armugam trounced Softlogic Holdngs, 52-25 with the score at half time reading, 25-13. Armugam, once again the top scorer (18 points) was the POG.
Men’s ‘E’ Division:dialog Axiata ‘B’ scored a cake walk, 68-44 win over Ceylon Tobacco. The score at half time read, 38-28. Hiran Perera (17), Delarn Silva (16) and Roshan Zoysa were unstoppable for Dialog. Kanishka Ravindra (20) and Inam Ameen (16) stood out for CTC. Hiran Perera (Dialog) was the POG.
Abans Group scored a comprehensive, 71-59 win over WS02. At half time the scores read 35-26. Lahiru Manawadu (35), who scored half of the Abans’ score, was an easy POG. Ashen de Silva (26) played a hard game for WS02.
A sterling performance by Adeeth Ginige, top scorer with 36 points and POG, gave debutants Creative Software, a fine 53-40 win over Allianz Insurance. At the half time the score read 29-19. Shenon Cabraal (15) played a lone hand for Allianz.
Women’s ‘B’ Division:the never –say-die quality of Asma Cader (15 points and POG) propelled WS02 to a heart stopping, 190-18 win over IFS and R&D International, who held the advantage with a seven-point lead at H/T (10-3). Binisha Weeraratne (11) was outstanding for IFS.
Standard Chartered Bank after leading 11/04 at the breather went on to win 19-13 over Virtusa. Ruwani Weerasekera (SCB) was the POG.
Despite a lion hearted performance by Harsha Perera (20) for IFS and R&D International, MAS Holdings won the game, 31-25 with the score at half time reading, 17-8. Natalie de Silva who top scored for MAS with 13 points was the POG; Taahara Cuttilan (12) gave good support to Natalie de Silva in defence and attack.