LAHORE, May 9: Defending champions Army beat Wapda 61-58 in a closely contested last match of the Super League in the 43rd national basketball championship at the Railways Stadium on Thursday.

Wapda came in third position by virtue of its defeat, as HBL which had earlier defeated Wapda in the initial stages of the Super league and lost only to Army took second position.

In all, six  teams  qualified for  the  Super League. Navy, got the fourth position, the host Railways fifth and Pakistan Air Force finished at bottom.

Army which has been winning the championship since 1989, led the first half 28-26. In the second half Wapda put up a resolute fight but all in vain.

For Wapda, Shahzad and Jahangir launched some good offensives in a fast paced match only to be repelled by the good combination of Army’s Nawazish, Meer Alam, and Saleem.

The losers, thrice took the slender lead at 18-17, 23-22 and 46-45 but could not hold onto it.

The constant scorer for Army Nawazish once again remained the top  contributor with 19 points. Ashfaq (16) and Meer  Alam  (11) also touched double figures.

For Wapda, Shahzad scored 16 points to emerge as the top scorer. Jahangir (13) and Shakir Ali (11) ably supported Shahzad to give tough time to Army.