Kathmandu, June 19

Times International Club defeated Nepal Police Club 81- 69 in the second qualifier match of Kwiks Nepal Basketball League here at the NSC covered hall today.

In the first match of the best-of-three encounter, Times opened up with a 24- 12 lead before NPC bounced back to reduce the deficit to two points by winning the second quarter 24-14.

Times then took control of the match and extended the lead to eight points in the third quarter which they won 19-13. Times sealed the victory with a 24-20 win in the final quarter to take 1-0 lead.

Praneet Udumalagala of Times top scored in the match with 24 points that also earned him the playerof-the-match award sponsored by KTM City. The second match is on Thursday and third on Friday.

The winners will face Tribhuvan Army Club in Saturday’s final. TAC defeated Times 2-1 in the first qualifier, while NPC made it to the second qualifier with a 2-0 victory over Golden Gate International Club in the eliminator.

Bhatbhateni Samriddhi Gorillas and NPC have already advanced to the women’s section final as the top two sides from the fourteam league which was played under double round robin format.