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ONGC (in blue) and IOB players battle for a rebound in their semifinal match. Photo Courtesy: Tournament Organisers
In four intense, yet contrasting semi-finals, ONGC, Customs & Central Excise (men) and Southern Railway and South Central Railway (women) booked their place in the finals of the Golden Eagle National Invitational Championships, 2013.
ONGC, Dehradun beat familiar foes IOB Chennai in a low scoring encounter. ONGC’s current internationals, centre Amrit Pal Singh, guard Vishesh Bhriguvanshi and forward Yadwinder Singh dictated the proceedings to carry ONGC to a 64-50 win.
In the second men’s semi-final, which was also the last match of the day, Customs & Central Excise continued their inspired run to go through to the finals. In a high scoring display from both sides, Central Excise’s seasoned trio of Eudrick Pereira (20 pts), Monish Wilson (19 pts) and Basil Philip (18 pts) ensured an 89-80 victory over Indian Army.
In the women’s section, Southern Railway and South Central Railway will face off in their second consecutive final. The two sides had met for the finale of the recently concluded PSG Tournament in Coimbatore, where Southern got the better of South Central. It remains to be seen if South Central can avenge that loss in today’s final that begins at 5 pm.
Both the men and women’s finals will be telecast on DD Sports from 5 pm onwards, with live commentary by the legendary former Asian All Star Jayasankar Menon.
Men’s semi-final results
- ONGC 64 (Amrit Pal Singh 22, Vishesh Bhriguvanshi 18, Yadwinder Singh 14) bt IOB 50 (Vineeth Ravi Mathew 12, Patham Singh 10) HT 31-25
- Customs & Central Excise, Kochi 89 (Eudrick Pereira 20, Monish Wilson 19, Basil Philip 18) bt Indian Army 80 (Nixon, Gopal Ram 13) HT 48-31
Women’s semi-final results
- Southern Railway 65 (Geethu Anna Jose 14, Anitha 13, Sonia 10) beat Western Railway 49 (Renu Maurya 24, Sangeetha 10) HT 40-19
- South Central Railway 83 (Manda Meshram 20, Jilna Jose 18, Aasha 15) beat Eastern Railway 65 (Madhu Kumari 30, Salma Devi 12, Sita Mani 10)
Finals schedule (22/8/13)
5 pm - Women – S.Rly v/s SC Rly
Men – ONGC v/s Central Excise, Kochi (after conclusion of women’s final)
Guess the Lakers players!
