Ruling sends Tigers to sudden death

The Albany Basketball Association has clarified reigning premiers Tigers have in fact finished third in the standings and face a sudden-death first semifinal in tonight’s men’s A-grade competition.

After the 16 regular rounds, Tigers and Barking Owls were tied on 39 points with an 11-4 win-loss record each, but Tigers appeared to have claimed second place with a higher percentage.

However, a clarification from the ABA has explained when two sides finish on the same points, first their head-to-head record decides who finishes higher, followed by the head-to-head percentage of points between the two sides, and if still tied, overall percentage comes into play.

Both teams had a win each in the normal season after Ti-gers won 50-49 in round 5 and Owls prevailed 47-45 in round 14, but Owls had a higher percentage in their head-to-head ledger with 101 percent opposed to 98.9.

Barking Owls, as a result, finished in second place on the ladder and will get a finals double chance, while Tigers will be left seething as they face elimination tonight despite being more than 10 per cent ahead of Owls in the overall percentage.

Tigers will come up against Ambassadors in the first semifinal at 7pm, with the defending premiers having won both their previous encounters this season.

Last week, Tigers lost to Crabs and were without key pair John Santia and Tim Button, who they will expect to regain tonight as they chase a crack at successive premierships.

In the second semifinal at 6pm today, minor premiers Knights will come up against Barking Owls, with a spot in the grand final at stake.

Knights lost two regular games this season, but have defeated Owls on two occasions, including a 30-point thrashing most recently in round 11.

In the women’s A-grade competition, Raiders under-18 development squad and Flames will put their seasons on the line in the first semifinal.

Flames come into the finalsafter winning their maiden game of the season last week by a point over tonight’s opponent.

In the second semifinal, Magpies and Panthers will clash for a grand final berth at 7pm.

ABA A-GRADE FINALS FIXTURES

Men’s A-grade

Second semifinal, 6pm - Knights v Barking Owls

First semifinal, 7pm - Tigers v Ambassadors

Women’s A-grade

First semifinal, 6pm - Raiders v Flames

Second semifinal, 7pm - Magpies v Panthers