Off-season Games Wrap: Teammates set to clash in NBL1 South Grand Final

A pair of thrilling NBL1 South preliminary finals have set up a blockbuster clash of teammates in the conference's Grand Final.

Putting together the most outstanding performance of the weekend was Tom Wilson, who dominated for the Melbourne Tigers in their come-from-behind victory over the Knox Raiders.

Playing all 40 minutes, Wilson dropped 42 points on just 21 shots, propelling the Tigers to a fourth quarter comeback and securing their spot in the Grand Final.

Melbourne has now won their past six games leading into the decider.

Facing off against Wilson will be a collection of his United teammates on the Sandringham Sabres, who came away from the long road trip to Mt Gambier with an eight-point victory.

Fabijan Krslovic was spectacular off the bench, tallying a 17-point, 12-rebound double-double, while Malith Machar and Tom Koppens combined for 20 points.

The win was the Sabres 15th in their last 16 games, nine of which have come by more than double digits.

The Grand Final matchup is set to take place on Saturday 16 August from 7:30pm at State Basketball Centre.

Tanner Krebs also wrapped up his season with the Ringwood Hawks, claiming team MVP and Defensive Player of the Year honours.

One Sabres player that will be unable to play in the decider is Dash Daniels, who has helped the Australian Boomers progress through the group stage of the FIBA Asia Cup undefeated.

The 17-year-old splashed his first look of the tournament, a wing three, in Australia’s 26-point win over Korea, and continued to contribute well across victories over Lebanon and Qatar.

The Boomers will face the winner of Saudi Arabia versus the Philippines in the quarter finals.

RESULTS

Wednesday

Australia 97 def Korea 61 (FIBA Asia Cup)
Daniels - 3 points, 1 rebound

Friday

Australia 93 def Lebanon 80 (FIBA Asia Cup)
Daniels - 2 points, 2 rebounds

Saturday

Melbourne 89 def Knox Raiders (NBL1 South)
Wilson - 42 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal

Sandringham 95 def Mt Gambier 87 (NBL1 South)
Krslovic - 17 points, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks
Machar - 15 points, 1 rebounds, 1 assist
Koppens - 5 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist

Sunday 

Australia 110 def Qatar 82 (FIBA Asia Cup)
Daniels - 5 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal 

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Photo - Andrew Scherer & Lauri Jean