Saints thrash rivals in basketball final

DEFENDING champion Saints demolished Barbarians 65-41 in the Suva/Laucala Basketball Association league final at the Vodafone Arena on Tuesday night. National reps Jese Sikivou and Adrian Bossley were impressive for Saints. The duo top scored for their team and displayed powerful all-round performances.

Suva/Laucala Basketball Association president Leonard Whippy said the final was played in two halves and a solid start by Saints laid the platform for the successful title defence. Whippy said Saints led 27-10 at the break and went on to finish the final with the season's biggest score.

"Saints were shooting the ball very well. More than 60 per cent of their attempts were on target," he said. "Another key factor was the fitness of Saints players. These guys are in the national squad and they were running a lot in the final. Also Saints fielded their strongest line-up and they maintained the same intensity right throughout."

Barbarians missed the services of key player Baravi Thaman. Sikeli Mara and Lai Puamau were the side's better performers in the final. In the B-grade semi-finals, New Era recorded a close 35-31 win over Pacific Harbour while Noobies beat Westpac 37-28.

Whippy said the B-grade final would be played on Tuesday, April 12.

"We will have one more game next week and the other teams will now be preparing for the Easter Championship." Saints are the defending champions of Basketball Fiji's Easter Championship. Whippy said he was happy with the level of competition in the 10-week league.

"It was very good. The league was played in two grades and based on a lot of close results, I'd say the competition level has improved. Teams were coming prepared."

Full results

Saints 65 Barbarians 41, Westpac 28 Noobies 37, Pacific Harbour 31 New Era 35, Dragons 45 Baseliners 33 (play-off ù fifth/ sixth spot).




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