SNG, state champions three years in running, toyed with Dharampet Kreeda Mandal, Nagpur in their opening tie as Pankaj Deshmukh and Hemant Waghade rained 11 three-pointers on their rivals. Their second match, against a fast-improving Mumbai Police, was relatively tougher. The local team narrowed the margin to three in the second half as the favourites lowered their guard. But a tight press in the later stages underlined SNG's all-round prowess.

The probability of a Navy-SNG clash in the final rocketed after Income-Tax, expected to boost the league, first fielded a depleted side, and then made heavy weather of beating Swastik Kreeda Mandal, Nagpur in their opening tie.

Despite the absence of Mahesh Naidu, resting a sore leg, Income-Tax opened a 17-1 lead in the first half. But stamina was at a premium, as the taxmenstruggled to defend the lead, and Swastik equalised at 31-31. Stephen Rodrigues, who mysteriously continues to figure in the state squad, was lost against centre Madhish Raut in defence, but made up in offence with crucial baskets in the dying stages. If Income-Tax survived to win 53-49, they have to thank Clarence Menezes for yet another energetic all-round display.

Results

Men's league (Pool A): Shivaji Nagar Gymkhana, Nagpur 77 (Pankaj Deshmukh 28 (7x3), Hemant Waghade 16 (4x3), Satish Warrier 11, Shatruguna Gokhale 10) bt Dharampet Kreeda Mandal, Nagpur 47 (Dinesh Zade 21, Amit Deshmukh 10) HT 30-26; Shivaji Nagar Gymkhana, Nagpur 74 (Pankaj Deshmukh 27, Satish Warrier 22) bt Mumbai Police 55 (Anwar Memon 20, Noor Mohd 14) HT 36-24; Mumbai Police 60 (Anwar Memon 13, Noor Mohammed Shaikh 12, Rajendra Kalbhor 14) bt DKM, Nagpur 50 (Dinesh Zade 11, A Deshpande 11) HT 28-20.

Pool B:Indian Navy 71 (Satyan 22, Vinod 16) bt NBYS, Nagpur 46 (B Kachanwar 17) HT 20-23; Indian Navy 63 (Joshy 21,Satyan 17, Vinod 14) bt Chembur YMCA 42 (Anish Sanghvi 12, Santosh Rao 12, S Gopal 12) HT 30-18; Chembur YMCA 57 (Anish Sanghvi 21, Vijay Neygandhi 11) bt NBYS, Nagpur 53 (Bhavesh Kuchenwar 21, Madhav Motghare 18).

Pool C: Income-Tax 53 (Clarence Menezes 13, Stephen Rodrigues 12, Rakesh Rathod 11) bt Swastik Kreeda Mandal, Nagpur 49 (Madhish Raut 15, N Kuranjekar 11); SKM, Nagpur w/o Indian Gymkhana.