Union Bank, Softlogic to clash in mercantile basketball ‘D’ division finals

Newcomers Union Bank maintained their unbeaten record by beating MAS Holdings ‘Blacks’ 70-54 after leading 27-23 at halftime to advance to the final of the 26th MSBA League Basketball Tournament, played at the Henry Pedris Courts last Thursday.

Clifford Shenal (31) and Hasitha Wijeratne (25) were the top shooters for Union Bank. Mahesh Fernando (20) top-scored for MAS Holdings.

In the other semifinal at the same venue, Seylan Bank was stretched to the limit by Softlogic Group before losing 67-72 in extra time. The scores were deadlocked at 64 at the end of regulation time. Seylan Bank led 31-29 at halftime. G. Gayan and D. Sanjana (20 points each) were the match-winners for the bankers. Lakshan Kulatunga (18) and Chamara Praneeth (21) had an inspired game for Softlogic. 

Union Bank will meet Seylan Bank in the Men’s ‘D’ Division final 

Men’s ‘E’ Division 

Unbeaten, Amana Bank will take on WNS Global in the final of the Men’s ‘E’ Division segment.

In the first semifinal Amana Bank turned on the heat in the second half to score a runaway 82-52 win over Millennium IT. MIT held a one-point lead at halftime (25-24). N. Laqman (24) and G. Gunatillake (16) were the match-winners for the bankers. H. Harshana (20) was the top-scorer for Millennium IT.

In the second semifinal WNS Global had to fight every inch of the way to beat Mobitel 48-45. Mobitel led 26-22 at halftime. Kanishka Ekanayake (25) played a brilliant game for WNS. Thilina de Silva (15) top-scored for Mobitel. 

Amana Bank and WNS Global met each other in the league stage where the bankers won comfortably 53-40.