Summary PAF clinched the National Basketball Championship trophy for the third consecutive year.
PESHAWAR (Online): Pakistan Air Force clinched the trophy of the National Basketball Championship for the third consecutive year after defeating arch-rival Pakistan Army in thrill-packed final played here at PAF Sports Complex with hundreds of spectators witnessed the jubilations.
Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Personnel) Syed Athar Hussain Bokhari (HI (M), SBT was the chief guest on this occasion and witnessed the final.
President of Pakistan Basketball Federation Asif Bajwa, Secretary Lt. Col Nasim Butt, Director Sports PAF Sports Control Committee Group Captian Shahid Nadeem, Wing Commander and Commanding Officer PAF School of Physical Fitness Ejaz Khan, other high military and civil officials and hundreds of cheering spectators were also present and witnessed thrilling final fought on rattling face.
The players of the two teams were really did hard efforts for their respective teams in the four quarters final with some stunning show of the perfect baskets, dribbling and run down the flank were also enjoyed by the sitting spectators.
Both PAF and Army have the services of international basketball players as they were tied the first quarters 17-13, followed by the second quarters led by PAF 31-19 and at the end of the first session PAF was leading with 31-19.
It was the last two quarters in which PAF took the momentum by keeping Army under tremendous pressure in the thrill-packed match.
The PAF players comprising Ahmad Jan, Nouman Baloch,
Prime Shah, Asfandiyar, Muhammad Akram played well and contributed valuable score. Ahmad Jan was the top scorer with his individual 27 score with five three pointers which turned the table in favour of PAF. Akram contributed 12 points, Prime Shah (12) and Tanvir 12 were the key points scorer. Tanveer scored two three points, Prime made two three pointers and Akram scored two three pointers.
For Army Mudassir Khan scored 13 points with 3 three pointers, Pervez scored 27 points with one three pointer and Akram scored 6 individual points.
In the third position match Wapda defeated Higher Education Commission 64-62 in closely contestant encounter and took third position. For Wapda haris Khan scored 18 individual points, Atif Mukhtiar scored 18 individual points while Ali Ja scored 7 points and for HEC Aqib scored 17 individual points, Muhamamd Naveed and Zahid scored 10 points each while Muhammad Ali and Zohaib scored eight individual points each.
At the end, the chief guest gave away the trophies, medals and cash prizes to the winners, runners-up and third position teams. A total of 11 teams took part in the 52nd National Basketball Championship organized by PAF Sports Control Committee besides it providing all boarding and lodging to the teams.
The players and officials lauded the efforts being put in organizing the event by PAF in befitting manners.
They also lauded Chief Warrant Officer Safdar and Officer Commanding Wing Commander Ejaz Khan for providing all out facilities during their stay.
