Holders JKT intensified their title retention bid as they walloped hard fighting rivals ABC by 63-56 points in the Dar es Salaam regional basketball league men’s category in a tense encounter played at the National Indoor Stadium on Saturday.
Though the prowess of both sides looked on equal terms especially in aggressiveness, JKT’s tight defense and good finishing gave them an edge.
The winners enjoyed a 20-17 point lead at the end of the opening quarter despite ABC showing more resilience by pushing forward and cleverly converting most of their attacks.
There was an interesting battle between playmakers Filbert Mwaipungu of ABC and his opposing number Himid Choka in the first two quarters.
Both played crucial role in their teams’ efforts to attack but it was Choka who slightly got the better of his opponent thanks to a cooperation with his more efficient team mates.
ABC big men Gilbert Batungi and Godfrey Changwe posed threat whenever they approached JKT’s hoop but the duo’s scoring ability were checked by determined JKT defenders that was well marshaled by Juma Kisoky, Mkumbo Mgendi and Charles Makene.
JKT still had an upper hand throughout the second quarter in which they led by 31-27 points and intensified attacks to halt ABC’s unbeaten streak.
ABC players lost steam thereafter and were easily succumbing to tight marking deployed by JKT, who effectively used Kisoky for defending and attacking roles.
The energetic player did not disappoint when going forward, slotting in rare two three-pointers midway through the last quarter and earned thunderous applause from JKT fans.
Kisoky finished with 15 points, Frank Kusiga had 13 while Mgendi and Choka scored six and four points for JKT, respectively. Changwe scored 12 points, Batungi had eight while Ibrahim Mwinyi and Stephen Charles added seven points apiece for ABC.
In other matches in the men’s category played earlier at the same venue, Chang’ombe Boys thrashed their second string side, Tan Blacks by 64-38 points, Oilers beat Chui by 68-58 points and Pazi banked on last-gasp efforts to edge Tanzania Prisons by 60-58 points.
The women’s category had only one match pitting CMTU against Police and the latter won by 58-32 points.
Despite starting impressively, CMTU failed to exploit their chances and Police quickly rediscovered their rhythm and never looked back.
Grace Thomas scored 23 points and Sophia Komba added 10 points for Police while Jennifer George slotted in ten points and Mpala Iddi added eight points for CMTU.
By Japheth Kazenga