Basketball in Africa

THE Men’s division 1A league has become more exciting after PLS Hawks registered an 81-64 victory over their closest rivals Baya while Premium Cobras defeated MBU Rockers 83-68 on Sunday at the Palais des Sports.

PLS Hawks’ top scorer Omony (with ball) takes on the Baya defenceFollowing their victory, Premium Cobras are still topping the league table with 24 points after 13 matches played (11 wins and two defeats). Boasting the same points total, Baya are the current runners-up (24 points after 13 matches -11 wins and two defeats).

With a match in hand on the top two, PLS Hawks are occupying third position with 23 points from 12 encounters (11 wins and a defeat).

The match between Baya and PLS Hawks started on a very slow pace with both teams hesitating to impose their game. It was only after four minutes of play that Michael Cupidon broke the deadlock with the first basket of the match before Thomas Collie replied with 3-pointer. Baya tucked 10 more points while PLS Hawks added another five to conclude the first quarter on a 12-8 score.

The second quarter was the turning point of the match and it was a nightmare for Baya as they lost concentration and conceded 36 points while scoring only 9.

PLS Hawks held on to their comfortable lead and won the match 81-64 even though Baya won the third and fourth quarters 24-20 and 19-17 respectively.

Ugandan Stephen Omony was PLS Hawks’ top scorer with 28 points, while with 21 points, Jean-Paul ‘JP’ Camille led the scoring for Baya.

According to PLS Hawks’ manager Jimmy Esparon, it was good teamwork that earned his team victory.
“PLS Hawks have some good players with a lot of potential but our main problem was to get them to play as a team. Today (Sunday) we managed to do that and as you can see everything worked out fine,” explained Esparon.

“As for our remaining matches, we will take them very seriously and we will be all out to win the championship,” he added.
For his part, Baya’s coach Michel Malbrook blamed poor officiating for his team’s defeat.

In the other Men’s division 1A match played on Sunday, Premium Cobras defeated MBU Rockers 83-68. The Cobras won the first two quarters 33-11 and 17-15 respectively while the Rockers clinched the third and fourth quarters 20-19 and 17-11.

Abdallah ‘Dulla’ Ramadhan was Premium Cobras’ top scorer with 26 points while captain Nigel Sinon led the Rockers with 19 points.
In a Women’s league match also played on Sunday, Bel Air defeated Cadettes 65-10.

R. D.