Savio, ABC romp into NBL quarters
Jogoo’s Akimu Joachim contemplates his next move as Ally Mnyamani of Savio guards during their National Basketball League match at the National Indoor Stadium on Wednesday. Savio won 103-83. photo | Brown Msyani
What you need to know:
- ABC may face JKT Stars or Bandari Tanga in the quarters while Savio would take on Vijana or Kurasini Heat today depending on last night’s results
Dar es Salaam. Titleholders Savio and ABC cruised into the quarterfinals of the National Basketball League (NBL) after recording convincing victories in their respective groups.
Savio, who outclassed Bandari Tanga last year to clinch the trophy, squared off against Jogoo at the National Indoor Stadium yesterday and recorded a resounding 103-87 victory.
ABC, bidding to regain their pride in the championship, played their fourth game of Pool B against Oilers at the same venue and notched a deserved 67-55 win.
The two sides are still unbeaten after four outings and they top their respective groups with eight points, three adrift of their closest challengers.
ABC may face JKT Stars or Bandari Tanga in the quarters while Savio would take on Vijana or Kurasini Heat today depending on last night’s results.
On Wednesday, the Savio-Jogoo kept dozen of fans who turned up at the facility on their toes as the victors had to wait until overtime to nick the hard-fought win.
The teams were level on 86-86 points after the regulation time, thus forcing the game to be decided in overtime.
Savio started the game on a high tempo and their efforts paid off when they finished the first quarter leading 22-17.
However, Jogoo found their feet in the second quarter, giving Savio a run for their money. They won 21-18, thus making the scoreboard read 40-38 in Savio’s favour.
Junior Kabeya and Mohamed Yusuf were outstanding for Savio in the first two quarters.
The duo came back to the third quarter and combined magnificently to slow down rampaging Jogoo.
The teams played out a 25-all draw.
Jogoo led for much of the fourth quarter and were on the brink of wrapping up a 86-84 victory only for Stephen Mshana to commit a foul in the dying seconds.
Yusuf made no mistake converting two crucial points to send the game into extra time.
Experience was the difference in the added five minutes when Savio buried 21 points compared to Jogoo who managed just one. Yusuf emerged the top scorer for Savio with 20 points while his teammate, Kabeya managed 15. Erick John was Jogoo’s star after notching 17 points.
In another match, Bandari Tanga beat Chui 75-61 in a well fought affair.
