Army retains National Basketball title

Defending champions Army outplayed rivals WAPDA easily in the final of national basketball championship by 71-45. WAPDA was lacking the skills, stamina and form against the super fit army men as Pakistan Army’s players dominated the game right from the start. Army from the first quarter started excreting pressure through Naimat and Rashid as both the players earned many points with their excellent passing. First quarter score remained in Army’s favor with 19-13. Army once again pushed WAPDA hard in the second quarter through Atif and Farhan as Army took 20 points clear lead over the opponents at the end of second quarter by 45-25.

WAPDA was going down and out but they tried to come back in the game in the third quarter but only secured 7 points but Army earned 12 points to make it 57-32 in Army’s favor. In the last quarter both the teams played to their full strength as Army bagged 14 points while WAPDA managed to get 13 to make it overall 71-45 for Army.

Army’s Atif with 16 and Tughluq with 15 points were top scorers in the game while Zahid got 13 and Abid earned 12 points from WAPDA in the final match.

Lahore division in a thriller defeated POF by 66-59 and clinched the third position.

Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Jahangir Khanzada on the occasion distributed the cash prizes of Rs. 100,000 to Army, Rs. 75, 000 to WAPDA and Rs. 50, 000 to Lahore division and he also handed over the winning trophy to Army’s captain.