PREMIUM COBRAS are in the men’s Seychelles Basketball Federation (SBF) Cup final after a close win over Mont Fleuri Dawgz.
After their 78-62 quarterfinal win over league champions PLS Hawks, the Cobras had to work hard for their semifinal win on Wednesday at Victoria Gymnasium. They finally won the match 67-63.
The Dawgz were not intimidated by the presence of experienced centre Lenny ‘Bad’ Aglaé and forward James Beier, back in a Cobra shirt after coming out of retirement to bolster the team’s chances of winning the SBF Cup.
Coached by former Premium Cobras playmaker Nigel Ah-kong, Mont Fleuri Dawgz won the first quarter 20-17 but trailed by a point at half-time – 36-37.
It looked as if Premium Cobras would steamroller the Dawgz in the second half as they won the third quarter 18-9, but coach Ah-kong’s team made life tough for Aglaé and company as they took the fourth quarter 18-12.
But it was too little too late for the Dawgz as they bowed out of the competition with their heads high.
Premium Cobras will meet Baya this coming Sunday at 4pm in game one of the best-of-three final series.
Baya, who lost their league title to PLS Hawks in tragic fashion, reached the final with a 98-85 victory over Anse Boileau-based Angels last Saturday.
Game two is on Thursday October 22 at 5pm and, if needed, game three will be played on Sunday October 25 at 4pm.
Game one of the women’s final between Mont Fleuri and HotShots is on Sunday at 2.30pm, followed by game two on Wednesday October 21. Game three will be played on Sunday October 25 if the series is tied after the first two matches.
All matches will be played at the Palais des Sports.
Under coach Tony Juliette, Mont Fleuri made defending champions Anse Etoile Stars relinquish their crown with a 51-44 win, while league champions HotShots steamrollered inexperienced Juniors 85-16.
The finalists on the series
HotShots captain Tina Agathine: “We are motivated and looking forward to meeting Mont Fleuri in the final. They owe us big time and we are ready to make them pay cash.”
Mont Fleuri coach Tony Juliette: “We are aiming for a win on Sunday and then to close the series in two games. My team are doing fine although Bernadette Songor missed some training sessions this week to be with her sick child.”
Baya coach Michel Malbrook: “We are determined to win the SBF Cup, but we have to make sure we don’t commit the same mistake that cost us the league title. All the players know that Premium Cobras will be all out for a win and although we won both league matches against them, we will go out more determined because we want the cup.”
Premium Cobras coach Guy Hall: “It’s going to be an exciting and tough series which, in my opinion, will go all the way to three games. Baya and Premium Cobras are good running teams and the team who play transition defence better will prevail.”
G. G.