Blues stay blue and Alumni rewrite the script
The Gauteng Basketball League is back in action and teams are already fighting for a spot in the final four. Games officially started on the 18th of July; a very special day for Mzansi’s living legend former president, Tata Mandela… While some were doing their bit in serving their communities; others were at The Grace Bible Church in Soweto Pimville, getting ready for the season.
Wits Alumni vs. Pretoria Heat
On Sunday the 19th at Wits hall 29, the test to see which teams might make the final four was on! LOP champions, Wits Alumni, battled Pretoria Heat for the second time this season; in a quest to see if Heat’s first win was a fluke or not. It took a while for both teams to get the momentum going after jump ball, but soon after the three point shoot out between KP Ndlovu and Heat started; one could tell that both teams weren’t in good shape, especially with the number of turnovers by PTA Heat due to fatigue and then some… Was Neo Mothiba going to support his comments on facebook, “The Matrix is reloaded and ready to inflict some pain! Lawise tre complike!…” or was Alumni about to turn it up a notch?…
Able to stand the heat, Alumni in turn led for three periods of the game; a thumbs up to their strategy of making Neo take forced shots; sending the Matrix to Zion before heading into the last period. The Mountain seemed to be handling business for Alumni since former coach Lebo Maepa wouldn’t be on the bench for the remainder of the season.
A win was looking very fatal for the Tshwane boys after a steal was made by Alumni; this was until Neo tied the game at 73-73 (Buzzer beat) sending the game to over time. It was any man’s game now… Only the mentally tough would take this home… Turnovers, fouls and forced shots continued from Pretoria Heat, sending them trotting back to Pretoria with an 82-75 loss to Wits Alumni. “We can be the top team in the League and we will definitely be in the final four.” said the confident Tsakane Ngobeni from Wits Alumni after the game.
Egoli vs Braamfontein Blues
On the other side, Bram Blues weren’t doing much to put themselves in a safe position for a spot in the final four. They faced Egoli Magic in a not so magical game and for a team with so much potential, Bram Blues were not doing much to get themselves out of the gutter. Playing a team like Egoli who always maintain a certain pace and hardly alter their game, Bram Blues had no control over the Magic. “We are a good team defensively and if a team beats us by 100 points and more, it means we were not playing defense.” Says Tshiamo Ngakane (Captain of the Bram Blues).
What a way to start off the second leg of the season, well done to Neo Mothiba scoring a season high 38 points. Though the first game might have been a fluke for Pretoria Heat; Wits Alumni managed to add another win to their log, preparing them for their next game against Tuks. There is still an outside chance at that the Blues will make the play offs; but the 103-78 loss will still hurt. Hope the boys don’t get too caught up in the blues; only high notes ahead for the ’09 basketball symphony!
In other results from the weekend (18/19 July 2009)
Scorpions 60-44 Mamelodi Bees (Premier Ladies)
Grace Bible Church 56-60 Spinners (D2 Men)
VUT Alumni 78-62 Scorpions (D1 men)
Midrand Pride 74-83 Raptors (D1 men)
Braam Blues 25-18 Grace Bible Church (D1 Ladies)
Pta Heat 75-82 Wits Alumni (Premier Men)
Phantoms 55-64 Momemtum (D1 men)
Egoli 103-78 Braam Blues (Premier Men)
This break was toooooooooo long.Happy that the good days are back once again.
Lets see how the second half of the season goes.