Pune: In a performance laced with class and perfection, Chennai Slam eased past Punjab Steelers 69-59 to clinch their second UBA Pro Basketball championship on Sunday afternoon in Pune.
Punjab Steelers failed to repeat yesterday's performance and were lagging behind through each quarter in this decisive game three of the championship series.
Just like the previous match, both teams were on an even keel in the initial stages of the match with both teams in relentless pursuit of seizing control of the proceedings.
Chennai Slam managed to take a six point lead (12-6) going into the first time-out of the quarter as Punjab Steelers were struggling to find their offensive rhythm. Punjab Steelers managed to fight back and the first quarter ended with Chennai Slam nudging ahead 19-18.
Chennai had six points from turnovers while Punjab Steelers had two and Chennai could muster only two points from second chance points compared to Punjab's four.
In the second quarter, Chennai Slam consolidated their lead and Ashutosh was Chennai's main player in this quarter as he harried Punjab's players with his deft movements and helped Chennai Slam to establish a double digit lead (30-18) with five minutes left in the quarter.
Chennai Slam, despite injuries to Jairam and Gopal, maintained their grip on the game as they finished the quarter leading 36-24. Punjab's star player Garry was subdued and they needed him to be in his elements in the later stages of the match if they fancied taking home the championship.
The third quarter was a sedate affair with Punjab Steelers being unable to make any leeway and Chennai Slam took a double digit lead at the end of the quarter with the score reading 50-40 in their favour.
In the fourth quarter, Punjab Steelers tried hard to rattle Chennai's game play but to no avail as the Chennai Slam were able to thwart their attacking forays. The match was a surprisingly low scoring affair and Punjab Steelers would have rued the fact that they weren't able to take advantage of a Chennai side hamstrung by injuries.
Jairam displayed exemplary spirit as he played 25 minutes with an injury and was key to Chennai Slams' scheme of play. Chennai Slam consistently maintained a double digit lead in this quarter and it was enough to see them through.
Meanwhile, Narender Grewal of Pune Peshwas has been named as the Most Valuable Player of the third season. Narender set a new UBA single season scoring mark by averaging 31.8 points per game. Narender won the scoring title by more than nine points per game.
Cammy was the top scorer for Chennai with 17 points and also named player of the match while Ryan was Punjab's top scorer with 13 points. Chennai Slam were awarded with a cheque of Ten Lakh rupees for their winning performance and Punjab Steelers with Five Lakh rupees.
Chennai Slam 69 & Punjab Steelers 59
Chennai Slam 69 (Cammy17, Ashutosh 17, Agu 15) Punjab Steelers 59 (Ryan 13, Rajveer 13 Harmandeep 12)
