Thammasat played fast breaks to take the upper hand and went ahead 26-17 in the first quarter.

Srinakarinwirot then upped the tempo of their game and Worrawit Pin-anong sank two points to help the team lead 30-29 at the end of the second period. However, Patipat Kanok-amornsin's two points one minute later helped Thammasat regain a slim 39-38 lead and they extended it to 45-42 by the end of the quarter.

The two teams were then neck and neck before the Srinakarinwirot side started missing shots, which inspired Thammasat to recover to lead 65-60 by the end of the third quarter.

Srinakarinwirot trailed 71-64 with only six minutes left to play, but lost main player Prachya Kruatiwa to an injury from a rebound attempt.

Thammasat remained in front before Rangsit Sirananon pulled off an impressive dunk in the last 15 seconds.

In the third place play-off, Dhurakij Pundit rallied past Rattana Bundit 74-67 in a thrilling encounter.

Spain win Asturias award

nIn Madrid, Spain's national basketball team won a prestigious sports award yesterday in recognition of their triumph in the World Championship in Japan.

The team beat 29 other candidates for the Prince of Asturias award in the category of sports, the

last of eight prizes handed out each year by a foundation named for Crown Prince Felipe, heir to the Spanish throne.

Somporn Suphop

The Nation