Basketball semifinals tonight

THE play-offs of the Namibia Basketball Federation (NBF) Khomas League proved to be very tough, with both semi-finals being forced into a deciding match to determine the finalists.

The play-offs are played on a best-of-three basis to decide the finalists for the Khomas League title. On Friday, defending Khomas champions Unam Rebels beat the national champions Tomahawks in game one by 97 points to 88, but Tomahawks turned the tables with a 73-70 victory on Sunday.In Sunday’s game, Rebels took a 22-15 lead at the end of the first quarter, but Tomahawks upped the tempo and excellent defense by Murere Linyando enforced a 39-all stalemate at the changeover.By the end of the third quarter Tomahawks had taken a 58-51 lead, thanks to excellent play by guards Edgar Fernando and Eric Norman as well as forwards Corbin Prinzonsky and Collin Hangula.Tempers started flaring in the last quarter of the game when Rebels players engaged in heated arguments amongst themselves during time-outs.The Rebels, however, managed to tie the score at 68-all with only three and a half minutes left through a three-point shot by Babalo Jantjies.Tomahawks took a point lead after Norman was fouled, but Rewbels went ahead 70-69 when Mpume Hlabangan scored.With the pressure mounting, Norman once again put Tomahawks in the lead when he received the ball from a Rebels rebound and broke free to give Tomahawks a 71-70 lead.Soon after Tomahawks increased their lead, but with only one second remaining on the clock, Rebels’ Obed Emvula was fouled.He however failed to down the two penalty throws to give Tomahawks a thrilling 73-70 victory.The other semi-final match between Civics and Unam Bladez was also forced to game three.On Friday, Civics beat Unam Bladez by 79 points to 74, but Bladez showed they were no walk-overs and defeated Civics 93-82 on Sunday.The deciding matches for the two finalists will be played at the Unam gym tonight.Civics play Bladez at 19h00 and Rebels play Tomahawks at 21h00.On Friday, defending Khomas champions Unam Rebels beat the national champions Tomahawks in game one by 97 points to 88, but Tomahawks turned the tables with a 73-70 victory on Sunday.In Sunday’s game, Rebels took a 22-15 lead at the end of the first quarter, but Tomahawks upped the tempo and excellent defense by Murere Linyando enforced a 39-all stalemate at the changeover.By the end of the third quarter Tomahawks had taken a 58-51 lead, thanks to excellent play by guards Edgar Fernando and Eric Norman as well as forwards Corbin Prinzonsky and Collin Hangula.Tempers started flaring in the last quarter of the game when Rebels players engaged in heated arguments amongst themselves during time-outs.The Rebels, however, managed to tie the score at 68-all with only three and a half minutes left through a three-point shot by Babalo Jantjies.Tomahawks took a point lead after Norman was fouled, but Rewbels went ahead 70-69 when Mpume Hlabangan scored.With the pressure mounting, Norman once again put Tomahawks in the lead when he received the ball from a Rebels rebound and broke free to give Tomahawks a 71-70 lead.Soon after Tomahawks increased their lead, but with only one second remaining on the clock, Rebels’ Obed Emvula was fouled.He however failed to down the two penalty throws to give Tomahawks a thrilling 73-70 victory.The other semi-final match between Civics and Unam Bladez was also forced to game three.On Friday, Civics beat Unam Bladez by 79 points to 74, but Bladez showed they were no walk-overs and defeated Civics 93-82 on Sunday.The deciding matches for the two finalists will be played at the Unam gym tonight.Civics play Bladez at 19h00 and Rebels play Tomahawks at 21h00.