TANZANIA : Savio fight back to edge out high-spirited Pazi

By Brown Msyani http://www.thecitizen.co.tz

The Dar es Salaam Basketball Charity Tournament continued yesterday with Savio edging out Pazi 28-26 at the National Indoor Stadium.

Mohamed Yusuf and Lusajo Samuel guided their team to the victory with 13 and 8 points respectively.
Yusuf, who was a constant source of trouble to Pazi, emerged the match's top scorer followed by his teammate Samuel.
Savio, who fielded all their prominent players, had to come from behind to win the match in a dramatic style.
Gritty young Pazi's players started the match with a clear intent of humbling Savio and finished the first half with a 19-17 lead.
Little known Francis Kapama, Dennis Kibua and Elias Kelvin outclassed Savio's veterans in the first half, but ran out of steam in the final minutes of the second half.
Savio played heroically in the last six minutes and managed to level the score and add two more points that saved face.
Savio relied on the likes of Mohamed Yusuf and Okare Emesu to teach the budding players the basketball lesson.
Eddy Mayeye of Pazi fought hard throughout the match and notched up 10 points, but they were not enough to make their side victorious.
Savio's Okare Emesu and Samuel came to dictate the centre of the court, but had work hard to subdue Iku Mseu and Ally Himid of Pazi.

Today, bitter rivals JKT and Savio play at the same venue before Chang'ombe Boys and Prisons lock horns in the second match.
JKT, who defeated Chui 74-30 on Monday, are buoyed up by their brilliant players; Charles Makene, Frank Simkoko and Himid Choka.

The tournament, which started on Saturday, has attracted all Dar es Salaam premiership teams.