LAHORE: Pakistan Army successfully defended their title after defeating archrivals Pakistan WAPDA 71-45 in the final of the National Basketball Championship that concluded at the Sports Board Punjab Courts here on Monday. It was a hotly contested final between the two traditional rivals of national sports in which players of both teams amused the spectators amid their good putting, passing and scoring. Army exerted pressure on their opponents in the beginning of the first quarter through Rashid and Naimat who exchanged excellent passing between them and earned points for their team. In the second quarter, Army doubled their pressure through Atif and Farhad who skillfully carried the ball, putting it well and scoring precious points. Particularly Atif moved in every corner of the court with firm possession of the ball and scored valuable points for Army. Though WAPDA were trailing 25-45 at the end of the second quarter yet they demonstrated aggression in their game in the third quarter which electrified the crowd who cheered the players profusely. WAPDA’s strategy worked as Army could score 12 points only. WAPDA also tried hard to narrow the deficit in the last quarter which they lost by one score yet the overall deficit was wide enough to cover. Atif (16), Tughlaq (15) were the top scorers from the Army. From WAPDA, Zahid and Abid scored 13 and 12 points respectively. Earlier, in the first semifinal Army defeated Pakistan Ordnance Factory 92-55. In the hard fought second semifinal, WAPDA beat Lahore Division 66-61. For the third position match Lahore division defeated POF 66-59. Punjab Minister for Sports & Youth Affairs Jahangir Khanzada was the chief guest at the prize distribution ceremony. The Sports Board Punjab gave a cash prize of Rs.100, 000 to Army, Rs.75,000 to WAPDA and Rs.50, 000 to Lahore Division. Published in Daily Times, January 16th 2018.