Jazz force basketball league final to go to the wire

Local basketball league title defenders Mbabane Jazz have forced the basketball finals to go to the wire, which is the third and final game. Going to the second game yesterday, Jazz were trailing Bosco Steels 1-0 in the three-game series final for the Dups Swaziland National Basketball League (SNBL) Elite Mens League (EML) championship. With Steels looking to wrap things up in the second game, Jazz had everything to play for and that was evident during the gruelling encounter played at Mavuso Sports Centre. Jazz had to win the game to force the decider and they did it in grand fashion, winning the game with a commanding score of 85-74. It was a game where experience counted the most, with point guard Wandile Mngadi pulling the strings to give his team the upper hand together with Jordy Shiba. Jazz played with purpose from the onset, taking a 7-0 lead one minute into the first quarter through the hands of Mzwandile States Vilakati. The game went on to end 20-11 in the first quarter. The second quarter saw the ambitious Mzwakhe Phiri, inspired Steels try to force their way back into the game, and they nearly achieved this feat as at one point it was 23-20 to Jazz, but Lwazi Mchobokazi and Whitey came off the bench to ensure that Jazz went to the third quarter leading 42-34. It was no different in the third quarter as Jazz commanded the lead, finishing it 57-47. Steels were faced with a mammoth task in the fourth and last quarter, and with the likes of influential point guard player Jordy Shiba forced to sit out the game due to the five fouls rule, they pushed hard, not letting Steels come back and the entertaining encounter ended 85-74 to Jazz. It was a hard earned victory and now both teams have a 50/50 chance to clinch the title, with Jazz obviously having the psychological advantage. The third and last game of the finals is set to be played this weekend.
Courtesy of: observer.org.sz