Reigning champions starts finals with a win

The Mongolian Basketball Association’s Goy Major Deed League is nearing the conclusion of its “longest” season. The final series to announce champions started on October 12 at the Central Sports Palace, with the first battle between Aldar Tanan Garid and SBL Khasyn Khulguud.

Experts saw the series will be a battle between coaches more than players. The match began when both team made changes in their starting lineup. Aldar Tanan Garid benched P.Bolortulga as former MVP O.Uuganbayar covered him. This change, as expected, was made to run the small-ball strategy.

On the other hand Khasyn Khulguud started former MVP of Students League T.Tsogbadrakh and it paid out as they started the game very well.

Captain of Khulguud B.Bilguun injured his right wrist in the fifth game against Khan-Uul Khangarid and looked like he was struggling to shoot consistently with a bandaged hand.

In the second quarter, M.Telmen and B.Munkhbold played actively at both ends of the court to recover from a several points deficit. Thanks to their effort, Aldar Tanan Garid started the fourth quarter in the lead.

M.Telmen left the game in the middle of second quarter due to injury, with reports saying he might miss the second game.

Veteran O.Sergelen helped Khasyn Khulguud with 18 points and 6 steals, while B.Bilguun managing to score 18 points even with an injured arm. T.Mendbayar played spectacularly overall, with 16 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals.

Veteran shooter B.Munkhbold scored gamehigh 19 points with several clutch threes to seal the deal.

The game was decided in the last moment when Z.Dorjsuren missed an open three pointer and on the other side P.Bolortulga scored the game winning 2-pointer.

The teams will rest for six days and play again on October 19. Fans are looking forward to M.Telmen and B.Bilguun recovering from their injury since they want to see both teams at their best to fight for the champion’s cup.