Hyderabad Sky pulled out yet another thriller as they prevailed over champions Chennai Slam 82-77, in the last day of the Pune-leg of the UBA Professional Basketball League at the Balewadi Sports Badminton Court, here on Sunday.
It was Hyderabad’s second win after their nine-point win over Bengaluru Beast in the last encounter. Failing to hold on to the cushion of over 20 points lead during the game, Hyderabad were pushed to the walls, by the fighting Chennai side, but their tactics to holding on the ball (possession) helped them to notch up their second win, before they take to their home turf in the second phase of the championship.
It was a game of riding against the time in the last session of the game as the teams were locked even twice on 73-73 and 75-75 in the last ten minutes of the game, but Hyderabad’s tactics of holding on the ball helped them to emerge supreme.
It was Hyderabad leading by six points when the teams took to the court for the last session of the game. Ashutosh who has been the livewire of the Chennai strike force was forced to cool his heels on the sidelines with five fouls, and Agu with four returned to take on the fighting Hyderabad.
He did well to level the score assisting Gopal to make it (73-73). Gopal struck again for Chennai to take the lead for the first time in the encounter 75-73. But die-hard Hyderabad, who head home for the remaining phase of the League hit back to level the score 75-75.
With just over three minutes to go, Hyderabad took a slender lead of one point when Mahesh made it off a free throw (78-77). Playing safe, the teams were sailing on the same scoreline. And with just 50 seconds for the final whistle, Nigerian Agu was fouled out of the match with five fouls, and Mahesh made it 80-77 for Hyderabad signing off their home league on a happy note and Mahesh struck again the final nail on the Chennai coffin to end the game on 82-77, to register their second consecutive win in the first phase of the league.
And thus, Hyderabad who were responsible for a poor showing against Bengaluru made up with a classic win, and signed off the first phrase on a winning note. With Ashutosh, out of the game with five fouls, Chennai were hampered with four of the main players with four fouls, Agu being one among them.
Hyderabad held the upper hand all through the encounter as they lead 28-16 in the first session and later 50-42 and 68-62 in the second and the third sessions of the match respectively. This end result is a clear indication that much more in store in the super professional basketball league of the country.
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