Defending champions Chennai Slam maintained their clean slate after two matches as they pulled out a resounding 80-64 win over their neighbours Bengaluru Beast, on the 4th day of the UBA Pro Basketball League at the Balewadi sports complex on Sunday.
Bengaluru had themselves to blame as their defence tactics failed on all grounds, and Chennai’s Ashutosh and Agu were the players to make the most of it. Bengaluru’s Somveer did look threatening but the stubborn Chennai defence made him look a mere threat.
Ashutosh, who was the darling of Chennai in their opener, played a pivotal role and was instrumental in their team’s win on Sunday. He combined well and his understanding with his teammates left the rivals in two minds.
“He has always been an anchor for the team and today he was no different,” said their coach Ravi Kumar about the player who topped scored for them in their last match.
It was rather a slow start with none of the teams taking their chances. But Chennai took the initiative with Ashutosh making the first move which saw his team take the lead in the first quarter of the game.
He spearheaded the move and Gopal notched up a three-pointer as they raced to an 18-12 lead seven minutes into the first session of the encounter.
And it was here that Chennai made their intentions clear as they took the first ten minutes on a four-point lead (21-17).
And from here that they never lost the ground as they went on to prove that they were the defending champions and they have a task cut out. A thirteen-point-lead lead half way through said the story of the Chennai’s positive moves.
A fifteen-point-lead with another ten minutes to go for their campaign in their second match was clear indication they were out on a mission and they were out there to prove, which they did, and their 80-64 final scoreline proved that they are a team to beat.
“We have been playing for quite a while and with experienced players in the rank, I am sure we will be a team to be beaten,” said the confident Ravi Kumar.
