Samriddhi Gorillas and Nepal Police Club earned convincing victories on the second day of the Women's National Basketball League on Sunday.

In the first match, Muna Maharjan rolled in five 3-pointers in a tournament-high 19 points as Gorillas earned their second consecutive victory. The four-team single round robin league sends the top two teams to the final. A day after defeating NPC 49-46 in a thrilling contest, Gorillas thumped ISO Kites 60-43. The ISO Kites team boasted three international recruits but that hardly mattered for Gorillas who dominated the entire game after beginning with a 10-5 lead in the first quarter.

Another 16-10 lead in the second quarter handed Gorillas a 11-point lead. The title contenders all but secured victory heading into the final quarter with a strong 15-point advantage scoring 17 to that of 13 off their opponents in the third period. ISO Kites never recovered and despite putting up a challenge in the decider, Gorillas took the final quarter 17-15. Alina Gurung also netted 11 points for Gorillas, while Soni Waiba Tamang had 11 rebounds.     

Later in the day, Samikshya Neupane sunk in 12 points and took four rebounds in NPC's crushing 77-45 victory over Saipal Academy. In a one-sided affair, NPC started with a 15-9 lead in the first quarter. The departmental side netted another 22 points in the second quarter and stopped Saipal on 13 to build a 17-point cushion heading into the second half.

Saipal improved in the third quarter but NPC made the most of experienced set of players to lead the period 18-13 to virtually throw Saipal out of the contest. With a 22-point deficit, Saipal hardly had any chance of a comeback and surrendered the final quarter 22-10. Shreya Khadka top scored for NPC with 16 points, while Suchita Gurung also netted 11. Anusha Malla had nine points, eight rebounds and five assists. For Saipal, Roshani Shrestha scored 13 points and Pratikshya Gurung netted 11.

In a crucial match on Sunday, NPC will take on ISO Kites and Gorillas will play Saipal Academy.

In an inconsequential men's match, Royal Basketball Club defeated South Siders Basketball Club at home 85-74 on the back of a fine performance from Nikesh Rakhal Magar. In Sanogaun, Royal took a 28-20 lead in the first quarter and stretched it to 11 points taking the second period 17-14.

South Siders reduced the deficit to nine points following a 21-19 lead in the third quarter. The scorelines reversed in the final period as Royal got their second victory in the tournament. South Siders finished at the bottom of the table with just one win in 14 games. Magar scored 23 points, took 12 rebounds and had nine steals.

On Monday, Tribhuvan Army Club will play away to Kirtipur Basketball Team and a victory for the departmental side will see them finish first in the double round robin league.  

Three foreign recruits in women's league

KATHMANDU: The Women's Nepal Basketball League has followed into the footsteps of men's tournament after one of the four teams ISO Kites on Sunday roped in three international recruits—two of them from Philippines.

The big names include Allana May Lim and Mary Joy Galicia, who both play for Philippines women national team. Along with the signing of the two forwards, ISO Kites have also recruited Bhutanese player Yiwang Pindarica. The tournament regulation allows all the teams to have four foreign players with two permitted on the court at a time. The men's league already has five international players with Nepal Police Club roping in Bangladeshi national team trio.

Shawn Chowdhury, Mohammad Khaled Mahmud Akash and Shahinur Rahman Shojib are the three Bangladeshi players for Police. Their performance has been instrumental for NPC who are closing in on the playoffs. Times International Club have Sri Lankan basketball star Praneeth Udumalagala and Golden Gate International Club have hired Indian hoopster Yogesh Kanderia.