THERE will be new champions at the end of this year’s Seychelles Basketball Federation (SBF) Cup as both defending champions were knocked out of the tournament during the weekend.
Cobras’ Solomon (left) scored 18 points against Jim Domingue’s HawksLast year’s men’s champions PLS Hawks lost their quarter-final match against Premium Cobras on Sunday, while women’s title holders Anse Etoile Stars were beaten by Mont Fleuri on Saturday.
Newly crowned league champions Hawks saw their bid for a double this season shattered by a very consistent Premium Cobras at the Palais des Sports in a match that saw the return of Cobras’ twin towers of James Beier and Lenny ‘Bad’ Aglae.
Cobras won all four quarters –19-18, 16-12, 17-13 and 26-19 – to win the match 78-62.
Alao Solomon and Aglae scored 18 points apiece to lead the scoring for Cobras while with 15 points, Rodney Lozé was Hawks’ top scorer.
In the semi-final tomorrow, Cobras will now meet Mont Fleuri Dawgz.
Meanwhile, Baya booked their ticket to the final with a 98-85 victory over Angels on Saturday.
After winning the first quarter 26-13, Baya stepped down their pace in the second period, allowing Angels to outscore them by a single point to win the quarter 17-16.
The third period was closely contested with Baya leading by two points – 28-26 – at the end.
Anse Boileau-based Angels came out stronger in the fourth and final quarter to win it 29-20. But Baya’s long lead in the first quarter helped them to stay ahead and win the match.
Dave Roseline led the scoring for Baya with 23 points, the same tally as Chabel Servina, who was Angels’ top scorer.
In the women’s competition, Mont Fleuri surprisingly kicked out defending champions Anse Etoile Stars with a 51-54 victory on Saturday.
After winning the first quarter 12-9, Stars let down their guard in the second period allowing Mont Fleuri to outscore them 14-5.
The third quarter was a repeat of the previous one with Mont Fleuri comfortably leading 25-15 at the break.
Although the Stars fought back and won the final quarter 12-3, the damage was already done and Mont Fleuri won the match to meet Hotshots in the final.
Captain Lindy Aglae and Patricia Saminadin led Mont Fleuri with 12 points each, while Genvieve Beaudoin scored 15points to lead the scoring for Stars.
In the other women’s semi-final match, Hotshots beat Juniors 85-16.