DHAKA (FIBA Asia Cup 2021 SABA Pre-Qualifier) –  Maldives and Sri Lanka outclassed Bhutan and Nepal respectively on day three, to stay undefeated in the competition.

In the first game of the afternoon, after trailing initially, Bhutan came back quickly to lead 20-19 at the end of the first quarter. The middle quarters though saw Maldives nose ahead, as it outscored its Himalayan rivals 43-31 on the back of Zakariya Latheef and Ibrahim Rashwaan who had 20 and 22 points apiece.

Maldives led 65-53 a minute into the fourth before Bhutan went on a 11-3 run to bring it within 4. Then, with less than two minutes remaining for the final whistle, Bhutan employed the classic late game strategy of sending Maldives to the foul line in order to get more offensive possessions. But Zakariya Lateef and Mohamed Zilal managed to knock down their crucial freethrows to close out the win.

Bhutan had higher field goal attempts (66 to 51) but was sloppy in finishing. It also shot a lowly 21.1% (4/19) from the charity stripe while conceding 36 FTs to Maldives, of which it converted 21. 

In the second game of the day, Sri Lanka continued its impressive march, this time beating Nepal 70-57. 

After a dominating win over hosts Bangladesh yesterday, Sri Lanka has established itself as favourites to win this Pre-Qualifier. Today it led through most of the game aided by a massive 48 points coming from its bench. In fact, it was substitutes Thimothi Nithushan and Clinton Thevakumar who led Sri Lanka in scoring, putting up double digit figures of 16 and 14 in a little under 30 minutes each. Nepal's Ayush Singh stepped up with 23 points, but got little support from his teammates barring Sadish Pradhan who had 12 points. 

The two undefeated sides Sri Lanka and Maldives face off tomorrow at 2:30 pm local time, followed by Nepal taking on Bangladesh at 5 pm. 

RESULTS:

Maldives beat Bhutan, 74-66

Sri Lanka beat Nepal, 70-57

FIBA