By Brown Msyani
Pazi outsmarted holders JKT to claim a hard-earned 78-61 victory in the Regional Basketball League match played yesterday at the National Indoor Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Pazi, who narrowly lost to ABC on Saturday, yesterday played aggressively to eclipse JKT who had fielded all their key players.
Brothers Ladislaus and Andrew Ikunguru were instrumentals in their team's spectacular show.
The reigning champions began the duel earnestly, posting a slim 36-34 lead by the end of the first half before they lost steam in the last two quarters and allowed their rivals to dictate terms.
JKT's miseries set in at the third quarter in which Pazi managed to post 20 against 15 points converted by JKT.
Pazi kept up their rhythm to haul in 20 more points in the last
quarter while restricting JKT to a ten-point gain.
Andrew Ikunguru, who penned 26 points for Pazi, was the match's top scorer while Fred Kagambo added 13 points for the winners.
JKT checked in their points through Francis Mlewa who churned out 14 points and Frank Kusiga who hooked up 13 points.
In another showdown at the same venue, Savio beat Tanzania Prisons 66-46 in a thrilling face-off.
There was a surprise for Oilers, one of the basketball giants, who had to use extra tactics to beat Changbombe United 63-57 in a fiercely fought encounter.
Tanzania Prisons's John Damas was the match's top marksman after converting 20 points, as Savio's George Tarimo scored 19 points.