MARIST WINS TIP OFF CHALLENGE

Marist men’s basketball team are the champions of the 2018 D Fenders Tip Off basketball competition.

Marist defeated Gunnerz 29-26 in an epic grand final match at the Multipurpose Hall yesterday.

Marist with the depth of experience in the squad looked unbeatable with Waige Turueke on three points duty and Allen Wanefai on the rebounds duty.

Gunnerz on the other hand, filled with youngsters, looked deadly on the fast break with the experience of Augustine Basia and Joe Daka spurring Moses Lufi and the team’s twin towers, Godfrey Toramo and Jermain Akao for the rebounds and layups.

Turueke opened the scoring for Marist and they led Gunnerz 10-9 at the end of the first quarter. Gunnerz responded in the second half, Lufi breathing life back to his side from the three points line to tie the scores 16-16.

Wanefai regained the lead for Marist on the rebound but saw Lufi keeping his side in the game from the free throw line.

Gunnerz trailed 24-23 with a minute and 20 seconds remaining in the second period and came close to stealing the lead had Toramo netted the two points from the free throw line.

Akao managed to sink two in the final seconds of play only to see Philip Manakako Jnr sealing the win for Marist with another two points from the rebound.

Final score Marist 29 Gunnerz 26.

Meanwhile, Mrs Debbie Sade from the D Fenders basketball club said they are happy with the interest shown by the players saying they are willing to continue helping the growth of the sport in the country.

“I’m happy all the teams came to participate. All the players have shown their interest in the sport and came out to play which was excellent,” Mrs Sade said.

“Very good final today everybody showed an interest to play. The idea behind the competition is just to get everybody back into shape and form ready to play again.

“After the Melanesian Cup and the Mini-Games there was nothing happening so our club decided to host this competition for the players to play before the league starts or other upcoming competitions.

“Our club is more than happy to help the growth of basketball here in the country,” she adds.

Ends//

By Taromane Martin, Island Sun Sports




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