The elites have qualified for their first finals series despite going down by 3 pts to the ring ins in the final game of the season. A win would have all but sealed their place in the finals. However, the loss would see the elites leveled on pts with the slackers who had thrashed the crash and burn team and thus, it was going to come down to percentage and fortunately for the elites, their superior percentage allowed them to stay in the top 4 and have a finals fling.

 

The 1st half saw the elites jump out to a 17-9 lead with DU having scored the elites first 4 pts of the game in his comeback from injury. DU was in early foul trouble as he committed 3 fouls in the opening half. A solid start from the elites had everyone thinking that the elites had this one in the bag, but the ring ins fought back to score 9 of the next 13 pts, but it was the elites still up by 3 pts at half time.

 

The 2nd half was nothing short of extraordinary as the ring ins carried the momentum which saw them score 15 unanswered pts in a 14 minute period in the 2nd half which saw the elites down by 12 pts with 6 mins remaining. THe elites had not scored in the 2nd half and with 6 mins remaining it was CLIFFORD who finally broke the drought with a nice lay up which saw the elites instigated a mini revival and closed to within 3 pts with just under 2 mins remaining. The next offensive play from the elites saw KOSTA fouled and had 2 free throws to close the gap to a single pt. Unfortunately he missed both free throws. With just under a minute remaining A defensive stop saw the elites with possession and TRAN taking it down the court. His attempt at a drive and a shot saw him penalised for a charging foul. The ring ins were able to retain possession but with 5 seconds the elites were able to make a stop and had one last shot to tie the game. MEL's shot from half came agonisingly close to snatching a tie for the elites with the ball just hitting the front part of the rim.

 

Unfortunately, the elites have only themselves to blame for the loss which was due to the bad 2nd half lapse in which they were scoreless for the opening 14 mins of the 2nd half which ultimately proved costly and pretty much decided the outcome of the match. Their mini revival was a lost cause in the end and served only to put some respectability back into the scoreline. The ring ins on the other hand would have to be pleased in the way they finished their season, but unfortunately for them they will not participate in this season's finals series as bad form in the past month allowed the elites to snatch 4th place despite being in the top 4 for the majority of the season. Next week it will be elites to take on the minor premiers "kuma sutra all stars" in the 1st semi final.

 

FINAL SCORE: Team Elites 31 def by The Ring Ins 34