Times International Clinches Victory Over Kirtipur with a Final Two-Point Shot
News Summary
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- Times International Club defeated Kirtipur 81-79 in the HJNBL.
- Times’ Manish KC scored a game-high 31 points and was named Man of the Match.
- The second edition of the league, organized by the Nepal Basketball Association, features eight teams with the top four advancing to the playoffs.
March 23, Kathmandu – In a thrilling encounter on Tuesday as part of the Himalayan Java National Basketball League (HJNBL) 2026, Times International Club secured a dramatic win over Kirtipur.
The match, held at the Dashrath Rangasala Covered Hall in Tripureshwor, saw Times snatch victory by 81-79 after scoring two crucial points on the final rebound.
Trailing for most of the game, Times managed to equalize in the closing moments. Times took the lead in the final seconds, and although Kirtipur managed to draw level, Times capitalized on their last opportunity by adding two points to seal the victory.
With just 12 seconds remaining, Times captain Sadish Pradhan missed a three-point attempt, but Kamal Thapa grabbed the rebound and scored two points, securing the win for Times.
Kirtipur dominated the first quarter 20-14 and extended their advantage by winning the second quarter 22-20, leading 42-34 at halftime. Times outperformed in the third quarter 20-16, but Kirtipur still held a 58-54 lead going into the final period.
In the decisive final quarter, Times delivered an impressive 27-21 surge to overcome the deficit. Their performance in this final quarter was instrumental in securing a two-point victory.
Manish KC led Times with a match-high 31 points and earned the Man of the Match honors. This win marked Times’ seventh consecutive victory. With seven wins and one loss from eight games, Times currently holds the top position on the leaderboard with 15 points.
The second edition of the HJNBL, organized by the Nepal Basketball Association (NEBA), features eight teams competing.
The league follows a double round-robin format comprising a total of 56 matches. After the league stage, the top four teams will advance to the playoffs. The first and second-placed teams will face off in the first qualifier, while the third and fourth-placed teams will compete in an eliminator match.
The loser of the first qualifier and the winner of the eliminator will then meet in the second qualifier. The winners of the first and second qualifiers will compete in the final.
The champion of the tournament will receive a cash prize of NPR 400,000, with the runner-up earning NPR 200,000 and the third-place team awarded NPR 100,000.
Additionally, the player exhibiting the best overall performance throughout the tournament will be named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and receive attractive awards, NEBA stated.