Kazakhstan maintains unbeaten record

Sanjaya Ariyaratne

BASKETBALL: Kazakhstan trounced India for a second time in a closely contested game, 74 to 63 points on the final day's fixture of their FIBA Middle Asia Zone Basketball qualifying championship 2007 concluded at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium courts, Colombo last evening.

Kazakhstan put up a fine display to remain unbeaten throughout this tri-nation tournament.

Both teams were well balanced with their physic but Kazakhstan cagers took the lead from the initial stage of the match. They completely dominated the proceedings with their high class shooting to take a 45-25 points lead at half-time.

However, Indians fought back exceptionally well with their shooter Riaz Uddin when he accumulated a total of six three pointers brilliantly to reduce the gap. Although they were always trailing scores read 68 to 54 points at one stage. But Indians could not level the scores at any stage.

Mid court player Ponomarev Anton who collected 15 points including 3 three pointers was the best scorer for winners while Issakov Yevgeniy and Yargaliyev Rustam 12 points each and Yevstigneyev Mikhail (13) also found the basket well for the winners.

Centre player Jayachandra Shenoy Subash collected a massive 24 points while Riaz Uddin with 20 and Shiv Kumar with 11 points were the chief scorers for the Indian team.

This international tournament was organised by the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation under the approval of FIBA Middle Asia, the regional governing body after a lapse sixteen years.

The two visiting teams qualified to take part in the forthcoming FIBA Asia basketball championships which is scheduled to be held in Japan.

The prize distribution ceremony was held after the conclusion of the final with Minster Sports and Recreation Gamini Lokuge as chief guest.