Golden Gate International Club ended up third in the Nepal Basketball League points table after crushing Kirtipur Basketball Team 86-52 as the tournament’s league games concluded on Wednesday.

Following the comfortable victory at their home court in Battisputali, Golden Gate finished with 22 points from eight victories. Binod Shrestha tossed in 17 points for the winners. The four teams joining the best of three playoffs, however, have already been confirmed.

Tribhuvan Army Club, who finished first with 27 points, will meet second-placed Times International Club in the first Qualifier from where the winners directly make it to the final. Golden Gate will play fourth-placed Nepal Police Club in the Eliminator matches. The winner of the Eliminator and loser of the first Qualifier will have last shot at the final in the second Qualifier.

Golden Gate got off to a dominating start in the game when they led the first quarter 24-17. Another powerful performance in the second half kept the tournament minnows under immense pressure. Golden Gate led the second quarter 24-8 to take an overall 23-point advantage heading into the second half of the game.

Kirtipur did offer some challenge in the third quarter but Golden Gate managed to lead the period by four points (20-16). A 17-11 lead in the final quarter sealed the faith for Kirtipur who were already confirmed seventh spot in the league and finished with 10 points from 14 matches. The losing side also earned one point in the league.
The playoffs begin from June 16 at the National Sports Council covered hall.

Team P W L Pts
Tribhuvan Army 14 13 1 27
Times 14 12 2 26
Golden Gate 14 8 6 22
Nepal Police 14 7 7 21
Budhanilkantha 14 7 7 20
Royal 14 5 9 19
Kirtipur 14 3 11 17
South Siders 14 1 13 15
(Note: Top four teams entered playoffs)