Kathmandu, December 17:

Nepal Investment Bank Ltd (NIBL) defeated Standard Chartered Bank 57-56 in the nail-biting final at the second DHL Corporate Basketball Tournament, organised by Kathmandu District Basketball Association, here at National Sports Council covered hall today.

The NIBL trailed the first quarter 9-14, but came back strongly in the second quarter netting 20 points to that of Standard Chartered’s nine. Both the teams scored 11 points each in the third quarter, meaning NIBL had a six-point advantage going to the last quarter.

In the last quarter, Standard Chartered dominated the field and netted 22 points restricting the NIBL to 17. Rabindra Maharjan top-scored for NIBL with 19 points, while Niraj Singh netted 18. For Standard Chartered, Bipin Maharjan and Sujan Shrestha scored 21 points each.

Prabal Shah of NIBL was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, while Rupak Gurung of Golchha Organisation won the highest scorer’s award with 99 points.

Dr Shashank Koirala, Central Committee member of Nepali Congress; Mukunda Malla, Country Manager at DHL; Nepali Congress youth leader Deepak Giri; and Brig Gen Ravi Shah gave away the prizes and certificates to the winners.

In all, eight corporate houses took part in the five-day tournament.