Dialog GSM cagers clinch Nature Cup

Playing a game of fast and furious basketball, Dialog GSM lifted the Nature Cup, beating the favourites, Seylan Bank in the final of the David Peiris Motor Co. 4th All Island, Invitation Basketball Championships, at the Depot Police courts, under lights on Saturday.

Dialog GSM superbly led by Thushara Jayantha rattled the fancied bankers 66/63, after leading 36/29 at half time.

Thus, Dialog took sweet revenge over their league defeat by Seylan 60/61.

Linal Vithanage (30), Asela Perera (15) and Roshan de Zoysa (12) were the top scorers for the winners.

Charitha Kulawardena (20) and Gayan Samarweera (15) played a die-hard game for the bankers. Linal Vithanage of Dialog was adjudged as the Man-of-the-final.

The Seylan Bank Women's team made amends for the men, when they comprehensively beat the hosts, DPMC, 81/53, after leading 33/26 at half time.

Premila Fernando was simply outstanding scoring 36 points and earning the woman of the final award. Skipper, Sanduni Bollegala (20), Benika Thalagala (15) too, played a robust game for Seylan. Rukshika Wijesinghe (25) and Shalika Gomes (15) played their hearts out for DPMC.

At a very impressive awards ceremony, DPMC's Sporting Executive Director, Neil Perera, General Manager, Marketing Rohana Dissanayake, Divisional Manager, Deeptha Ekanayake, Operations Manager, Milinda Gunawardena, Works Manager, Laksith Peiris, Deputy General Manager, Finance, Gokula de Alwis, & Marketing Manager, Shanaka Jayaweera, presented the awards for basketball and badminton.