Players hit the courts, hard

The Post Shop Easter National Basketball Cham-pionship battle is rolling and it is rolling fast. Registered for the tournament are 20 men's and eight women's teams.

Hosted by the Raiwaqa Basketball Players Associ-ation, the Arena looked great with the Raiwaqa boys all pitching in to help out officiate and keep the courts clean and smooth.

On the courts, 16 teams went head-to-head, trying hard to win their pool games on the first night in the five-day championship, with the highlight of the evening's game going to Shaq against Boston.

Both teams thirsted and scrambled for the win but Shaq came out winners 27-19 in the second pool game with both teams' blood levels pumping hard in a tremendous fit of athleticism.

Bryce and the Raiwai youths played the first pool games to see Bryce come out 37-12 on Court 1.

The Raiwai youths gave Bryce a run in the third quarter where they had basket after basket making Bryce work and run hard.

Raiwai had a raging crowd cheering them on with encouragements while they evidently threw jeers at the Bryce boys.

Twelve-year-old Pita Matasau of the RYDP had the time of his life playing against some of the best players last night.

Matasau played a hard game against the Bryce boys and was not the least intimidated by their sizes.

"It was great," he said.

On Court 2, Pitbull drove hard against Knights, coming out with a win30-15. Knights were no match for Pitbull whose team consisted of many former Fiji reps, namely Noa Viriviri, Earl Hughes, and others.

Pitbulls, in their white vests, ripped up the court, handling the ball like a third arm.

Such ease and skills made the small crowd of spectators cheer and jeer with a craze.

The Veterans team from Raiwaqa, who have been turning heads in the last few weeks, gave Saints a hard game but the Saints pulled through 19-11.

Defending champions, Vikings from the West will compete on Friday to hold on to their position.

The games were officiated by Fiji's only FIBA International referee Navi-talai Naivalu, along with Jo Tamani, who recently returned from Australia after officiating for the Australian National State Championships.

"The game was a success and we are happy to say that the level of competition was very high"

"I know the next four days are going to be very competitive."

"We also had a good crowd turnout," said organiser, Sakiasi Moce.

Day One results:

Court 1: Bryce 37-RYDP 12; Shaq 27-Boston 19; Idaman 41-Hands 19; Warriors 31-Macpacers 25.

Court 2: Knights 15-Pitbull 30; Freshmen 26-Bulldogs 25; G-Unit 24-Knicks 17; Saints 19-Veterans 11.

 The Fiji Times Online

BY SARA WHIPPY

 





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