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by Chris Dhambarage

The most looked forward to tournament in the Mercantile calendar of the current year - the semi league knock out basketball championship conducted by the Mercantile Services Basketball Association and sponsored by Hatton National Bank Limited for the ninth successive year will commence at the Otters AC courts, today.

A total of 20 teams in four divisions will vie for honours - the HNB challenge trophies.

The formidable Hatton National Bank team with three national players were the double winners of last years 'A' Division tournament. having won the five a side tournament this year Hatton National Bank will be determined to maintain their impressive record in the mercantile scene.

Two other teams have been promoted to the 'A' Division and they are David Pieris Motor Company and Akbar Brothers. With Delmege Forsyth also making a strong bid to enter the final and with Seylan Bank and Sampath Bank strengthening their teams with new talent the 'A' Division tournament should be a closely contested affair.

The 'A' Division tournament will be worked off in two groups with Hatton National Bank, Akbar Brothers and Delmege competing in group 'A'. Seylan Bank, Sampath Bank and David Pieris Motor Company Limited will battle for honours in group 'B'.

Meanwhile Commercial Bank and Ranawana Security are the favourites to win the 'B' Division tournament which has attracted two more new teams. They will be joined by SriLankan Airlines and HSBC where the four teams will play on a round robin basis. The group winner will play the fourth placed team and the second placed team will meet the third placed team in the semifinals and thereafter the winners will meet in the final.

MTN Networks and Delmege 'B' are the newcomers in the 'C' Division tournament. MTN Networks are drawn along with Airport and Aviation and Ceylinco in group 'B' while Maritime Holdings, Metropolitan Group and Delmege 'B' are in group 'B'. The mode of play will be as in the 'A' Division.

Tropical International and Aitken Spence are the newcomers in the 'D' Division which also includes Eagle Insurance and Union Bank. All matches will commence on Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday's at 3.30 p.m and at 6.30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The 'C' and 'D' Division finals will be worked off on July 11 and the 'A' and 'B' Division finals on July 12.

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