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With the score tied at 58-58 and just 15 seconds remaining on the clock, in the closest contest of the competition this far, Sunil Kumar sunk in what turned out to be the winning basket for ROI. But an undeterred Maharashtra forced the ROI bench to skip a heartbeat with a gallant attempt to snatch defeat from what would have been a one-point victory when, with just five seconds remaining braveheart Vipin Kumar attempted a three-pointer and missed.
It was ROI’s second back-to-back win in four matches that has kept them in the fray following two losses in their opening encounters, while Maharashtra crashed to their third defeat in four matches.
Strong contenders ONGC fashioned their fourth straight win in as many outings to remain on course in the seven-team men’s league with an exciting 85-78 win over Chennai Customs, who came up with a surprise challenge against their formidable opponents.
Defending champions Southern Railway overcame Chattisgarh 77-52 in the four-team women’s league to seal their place in the final and in the process confirmed Maharashtra’s entry into the championship round.
Results
Women: Southern Rly 77 (S. Kokila 22, Anitha P. 22, Geethu Anna Jose 14) bt Chattisgarh 52 (Bharti Netam 12, Anju Lakra 12). HT: 44-23.
Men: Rest of India 60 (Talwinderjit Singh Sahi 30, Sanjay Raj 12) bt Maharashtra 58 (Smithin Settu 17, Vipin Kanan 16, Saurabh Nissar 10). HT: 31-23; ONGC 85 (Anoop M. 24, Suresh Ranot 19) bt Chennai Customs 78 (B Saravana Rajan 27, C V Dinesh 18). HT: 36-35; IOB 87 (Abicek Paul 22, Vineeth Ravi Mathew 18, S Robinson 15, Harish K 13) bt Maharashtra 66 (Vipin Kanan 26, Vicky Gaikwad 13, Smithin Settu 10). HT: 46-32; Rest of India 91 (Talwinderjit Singh Sahi 30, Sanjay Raj 14, Sunil Kumar 10) bt Services 64 (Jai Ram Jat 17, Dalip Kumar 16). HT: 47-29.
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