Sri Lanka Basketball team suffered two more defeats at the hands of Palestine (74-129) and Kazakhstan (37-107) in their matches played for the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers window three Group ‘F’ at Isa Town Basketball Arena in Manama, Bahrain.
After losing the curtain raiser Kazakhstan (52-111) Lankans managed to put up a much improved performance against Palestine but ultimately lost the match (74-129). They trailed (19-38) in the first quarter and were 36 points behind at the half time (70-34).
Winners dominated the third quarter to post a 101-54 score and sealed their victory with a big margin of 55 points (129-74).
Meanwhile, in the second game against Kazakhstan, Lankans tasted a bitter defeat (37-107) after trailing 02-37 and 13-66 at first quarter and short whistle respectively. The winners had firm control of the game and led 85-26 at the end of the third quarter and recorded a comfortable win.
Subsequently, the match against Jordan was postponed after seven players and three officials were tested Covid-19 positive. The organizers are yet to inform the plight of that match which might be played at a later date.
The Lankan camp consisted of a young and inexperienced side comparable to their other opponents. Sri Lanka suffered heavy defeats in their away matches played earlier at the hands of Palestine (60-102) and Jordan (45-100) in February last year, during the first window of matches in group ‘F’.
They were to play Kazakhstan at home last November but the second window got cancelled due to Covid-19 pandemic. The Lankan contingent was sans two senior experienced players Gayan Croos and Krishan Cooray, who missed this tour due to the virtual 38-day quarantine. (AN)
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