In the first qualification game the smaller Echang South Coast team had a handy 12 point lead at the half time interval but the Dngerongel/Mekatii Combo team came back with a vengeance in the 3^rd quarter to be just 4 points down at the last break. The final quarter was basket for basket throughout and South Coast just managed to hang on for a 56-50 win to send them to the play-off game for positions 5 and 6 next Saturday. For South Coast their scoring was well spread with Scotty Techeluw hitting 12 and Edison Sumor 8, while for the Combo team Kib Gabriel had another huge game with 27 points and Jorvan Takawo got 13.

 The second qualification game was a thriller at the end, after a mixed result for both teams through the first 3 quarters. With Peched Reds 6 points up at the end of the 3^rd, the final quarter turned out to be a fight to the end between the two teams from Ngerbeched. With 8 minutes to go the score was tied at 43 each and then at 7 minutes at 45 each. With 6 minutes and 15 seconds left Colbert Etpison fouled out for Peched and as he was their second scorer this was likely to hurt Peched. However, the scored stayed tied as it went from 4 minutes to 1 minute 12 seconds stuck at 49 each. With 1 minute left Edwin Yaoch made a great pass to Jackson Kadiasang to send him in with a lay-up and one extra shot and then Edwin hit a 2 pointer to seal the win for Peched at 54-49. For Peched, Jackson Kadiasang scored 25 and Colbert Etpison 15. For Peched Reds Medermel Yaoch got 25 and Olkeriil Kyota 12. Peched move to the 5/6 play-off game next Saturday and Peched Reds to the 7/8 play-off game.

 Scoring was low in the first of the semi finals between Ngermid and Ngerchemai Ranchers. Ngermid had a slender 3 point lead at the half but Ranchers cut this to only 2 by three quarter time. The final quarter saw baskets hard to come by for both teams and the score remained close throughout. With many fouls in the closing 2 minutes it looked like free throws might decide the outcome and while Ranchers were sinking theirs, Ngermid could not hit one, however, while Ranchers couldn’t find the basket for a 2 pointer, Ngermid could and hit the lead by one point with 14 seconds to go. Ranchers still failed to find the bottom of the net from the court and Ngermid won 33-32. For Ngermid Excel Otei scored 11 and Jaylee Pedro got 8. Ranchers’ main scorers were Orion Anderson with 10 and Isechal Ngiraimau with 8.

 The second semi final was also close for the first 3 quarters. For Meyuns Tanaka Iyar and Kerai Blanc were having a big game and making the most of all opportunities. The Meda team was unermanned in strength due to players being absent with family commitments, however their main player in RB Dorado kept them in the fight with scoring when needed.   In the final quarter Meda ran away with the game when RB let loose and scored at will. His experience was invaluable in helping Meda move to the Championship Game with a 61 – 41 win. For Meda RB Dorado had 26 points and Eluut Isaac hit 12, while for Meyuns it was Tanaka Iyar leading scorers with 15 and Gerrel Solang with 10.

 And so it is onto the final day of the competition next Saturday with the following schedule:

Saturday 22^nd January

Finals and play-offs                                         HOME                                 AWAY

9.00am                 Play-off for 7 / 8               Combo                                Peched Reds

11.00am               Play-off for 5 / 6               Echang South Coast         Peched

1.00pm                 Play-off for 3 / 4               Ngerchemai Ranchers      Meyuns

3.00pm                 Championship 1 / 2          Ngermid                               Meda

 Teams listed as HOME must wear white T-shirts and teams listed as AWAY must wear dark colored T-shirts. All players must carry their basketball shoes into the gym with clean soles. Games will start on time.

Following the presentation of trophies after the Championship Game on Saturday the 4 All Star teams to compete in the Super League on the 29^th January will be named and introduced.