Customs & Central Excise, Pune and hosts NBA (Nagpada Basketball Association) won their third successive victories and qualify for the Men’s semi-finas of the Nagpada Basketball Association organised 18th NBA Invitational Basketball Tournament, played at the floodlit Late Bachoo Khan basketball courts, Nagpada.
In a concluding Pool-A match, NBA prevailed over their neighbours Mastan YMCA 61-51 after leading 39-21 at the halfway stage. Fauzan Shaikh 17 points, Faizan Shaikh 16 points, and Faiz Shaikh 12 points were responsible for NBA’s third win. Mastan YMCA scored through Ashraf Siddique 14 points, Yasir Khan 12 points, and Salman Qureshi 10 points. Mastan YMCA having won their previous two matches joined NBA in the last four round.
Meanwhile, Customs defeated Deccan Gymkhana 74-65 in a closely contested match between visiting Pune teams in a Pool-B encounter. For Customs, who enjoyed a narrow 40-36 lead at the end of first two quarters, got their points through their ace shooter Sameer Qureshi 27 points, Sowkin Shetty 12 points, Shubham Yadav 11 points, and Yousuf A. 9 points. Deccan Gymkhana who fought hard was well-served by Tanay Thatte 19 points, Aaron Blessen 17 points, Rishi Shukla 12 points, and Raju J. 9 points.
Meanwhile, strong favourites AVS (Agredneya Vyam Shala) easily defeated Mastan YMCA 48-32 (half-time 33-17) in the concluding Women’s league match. AVS with nine points from three wins topped the group and will clash with second placed Bandra YMCA six points in the final.
Results – Women league: Agredneya Vyam Shala (Darshana P. 17, Sakshi K. 12, Adi H. 10) beat Mastan YMCA (Sakshi S. 11, Khushi Solanki 7) – 48-32 (half-time: 33-17).
Men Pool-A: NBA (Faizan Shaikh 16, Fauzan Shaikh 17, Faiz Shaikh 12) beat Mastan YMCA (Ashraf Siddique 14, Yasir Khan 12, Salman Qureshi 10) – 61-51 (half-time: 39-21).
Pool-B: Customs & Central Excise, Pune (Sameer Qureshi 27, Sowkin Shetty 12, Shubham Yadav 11, Yousuf A. 9) beat Deccan Gymkhana, Pune (Tanay Thatte 19, Aaron Blessen 17, Rishi Shukla 12, Raju J. 9) – 74-65 (half-time: 40-36).