Braves of Customs have emerged winners of the 2016 Accra Basketball League Men’s Division I season after delivering a 67-52 win over Tema Youth in the final game at the Lebanon House Court in Tudu, Accra.
The game which was a repeat of last season’s final ended with the same end result as the defending champions romped to a big lead early on in the first quarter, withstood a scoring onslaught from Tema before regaining composure to win the title.
A dominant start was key Braves success as three Most Valuable Player of the Year winners at the Ghana Basketball Awards combined for a scorching start.
Reigning winner Suleman Abubakar flexed his defensive muscles by making three key blocks as past winners Abdul Mutaleeb Alhassan and Baniba Dodzie torched Tema to lead Braves to 23-6 first quarter lead.
Tema came on strongly in the second quarter as Point Guard Nana Owusu Afriyie drilled in two quick three point shots to bring Tema back in the game eventually whittling Braves lead to just five points (37-32). Kwame Boamah Djan produced the game’s highlight with a thunderous chase down block on Alhassan.
However, the game was sealed in the third quarter after a 10-1 run by Braves restored Customs sizable difference at the end of the quarter (47-34). Patrick Gomerli was instrumental in that run as he scored converted an attempt behind the arc and a couple from the free throw line.
The team was presented with a trophy and the team’s female side was on hand to receive the title for winning the Women’s Division. Braves will represent Ghana at the FIBA Zone Three Africa Championship set to take place in Lome, Togo later this month.
Despite securing a spot in the Championship, Tema will not make the trip due to financial constraints. Fire Service secured third place after beating Reformers 67-60 in the earlier matchup.
