ONGC Dehradum win India's Federation Cup, clinch FIBA Asia Champions Cup spot

Yadwinder Singh

ONGC Dehradum have beaten rivals Indian Overseas Bank Chennai (IOB) to capture the Federation Cup for a fourth straight year. In the process, ONGC clinched a spot in the 2016 FIBA Asia Champions Cup as South Asia's representative. Led by their India internationals Yadwinder Singh (196-F-86) and Bhriguvanshi Vishesh (192-G-91), ONGC prevailed, 73-57. The winners raced into an early 20-0 lead but did not slam the door shut. IOB clawed the deficit back to just five points by half-time and closed the gap to four in the fourth quarter. Yadwinder made key plays and big shots down the stretch to help ONGC pull away in the last frame. ONGC have joined Petrochimi of Iran and Lebanese outfit Al-Riyadi Beirut in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup, which is to be held 7-16 October. The two sides sealed their places in the event by reaching the Final of last month's WABA Champions Cup. The other participants in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup will be determined in the coming weeks and months when qualifying tournaments are held. There will be two clubs from East Asia, two from the Gulf, one from Southeast Asia and from Central Asia. Another team will be added once the host nation of the FIBA Asia Champions Cup is announced. Iranian clubs have had most of the success in recent times at the FIBA Asia Champions Cup, with Saba Battery Tehran winning in 2007 and 2008, Mahram Tehran in 2009 and 2010 and Foolad Mahan Isfahan in 2013. The other country that has captured plenty of titles dating back to 1999 has been Lebanon. Sagesse lifted the Champions Cup that year, in 2000 and 2004. In 2011, Al-Riyadh Beirut won.
Courtesy of: fiba.com