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It was a very exciting, lengthy, action packed Season and we would like to thank everyone who participated. With Season 5 in the books, we are on to the next! There will be much teams will be planning during this off-season but right now, lets enjoy these highlights and celebrate UDAY as the Crescent Champions of the World!

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Uday trounces No Mercy, showing them no mercy 103-80.  And it wasn't that close.  Hakim earn FInals MVP.  A 6 month marathon ends with perhaps an anti-climactic ending.  This was by far the most lopsided playoff margin in CBL history.  But it should come as no surprise.  Majority of people predicted Uday to walk away with the title, some even drew comparison to the Kentucky Wildcats.  Whatever it is Uday has set the bar that much higher and it ends with a Championship Coronation!!! Congratulations to Team Uday!! Your 2012 CHAMPS!






 
2012 Uday Post-Game Celebration:










They came they saw they conquered, and then they told the whole world about it!!!

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The Finals are here.  We got you covered..from the Road to the Finals! To 5 Questions to our patented Crescent League Quotes NO ONE covers all the angles for the finals like we do.  Lets get started:

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FINALS PREVIEW/PREDICTION:



Looks like there will be no Cinderella story this year in the CBL. We have two elite teams facing each other trying to win their first ever title in their franchise history. Both are led by arguably the best two players in the league. Punisher is making his second trip to the Finals, and is hoping to come up victorious this year. MVP Waleed, on the other hand, is making his Finals debut after years of falling short in the first round.

On paper, Uday seem to be the overwhelming favorite. With a star studded starting five, Uday has been arguably the best team in the league all season, despite attendance issues. Each player on the starting five can be the number 1 option on any other team. With the game on the line, Uday has too many options to go to. That makes them dangerous and unpredictable. However team Mercy should not be overlooked. They are built around Waleed and have a very talented supporting cast. They have lightened Waleed’s burden many nights as players such as Mike Collins, Kirby, Big “O”, and the Soofizada brothers were able to step in.

The matchup of the night will be Waleed, who will be guarded by defensive ace Silvio. MVP vs former MVP. Waleed will always pour in 20 points on any night. However, with everything on the line, it won’t be any easy night for him with Silvio on him. Uday is one of the best defensive teams when it comes to help defense, so it may be a long night for our MVP. But as he has proven all playoffs, especially the last matchup against Defensive MVP Azal and Mashakill, Waleed will be in attack mode coming into this game. I give Mercy a very slight edge in this won.

The Punisher will be guarded by Mike Collins. The Punisher is hungry for his first title and is looking to silence his critics. Mike Collins has been a great pickup by Mercy and is very reliable. However Elvis will be too much. Elvis is up there as one of the best in the league. Uday with the edge in this matchup.

Omar Nokaly will be faced up against Steven. Nokaly is one of the most underrated players in the game, and has won many games for Mercy. However Steven is a superstar player that can easily be the number 1 option on any other team. Uday with the edge in this matchup.

The point guard battle will be between Hakim and Kirby. Kirby is a great all-around player, but he is facing Hakim a deadly shooter who has hit far too many big shots this season. Hakim is the motor that runs the Uday engine. Uday with the edge in this matchup.

Mercy and Uday started the season against each other and will finish it. The last time these two teams faced each other was in Week 1. Uday was a fairly new team as they were figuring out how to play with each other. Mercy won the game by 8. However, this will be different. Both teams have an entire season under their belts. Mercy is easily the underdog in this game. Everyone always loves an underdog story, and it is hard to count them out. I predict a shocker with Waleed hoisting up the title for the first time in his career. Suhail and Omar Sofizada won’t go home empty handed this time, after losing the CJB finals. Mercy wins 85-83 in one of the most exciting games in CBL history.

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Both of these teams are packed with talent. It will come down to who wants it more. I say Uday will win by single digits.

---Ennis, Co-Co-Captain Team Bearcats

Both of these teams are very good. Uday has a dynamic player at every position that is hard to contain. Playing zone defense against them would be tough because they can shoot. Playing Man defense would be equally tough because each player is very capable of beating their defender. Pick your poison. Uday Wins!

---Moe Bigewala, Co-Captain Team Dynasty

If Uday can control their tempers and not beat themselves they will be the new CBL Champs!

---Mahmood, Guard Team Franchise

Uday just has so much firepower to guard

---Moe H, Guard Team TakeOver

Congratulations to both teams to making the Finals. As I have said in the past, getting to the finals at any level is not easy. There are so many challenges that can adversely affect your chances such as injuries and what not. With that said, I think team Mercy will take the Cup. They are flying below the radar and their captain has done a tremendous job of preparing and getting his team ready in the post season. Plus Uday I sense are a bit too over confident. See everyone Sunday @ 8pm Sharp.:

---Farooq, CBL Organizer

Uday will win because they have are too powerful:

---Mensur, Team NGNG

Uday will win because they are too deep of team. If they can stop the pick and roll with Mike and Waleed, its a wrap for Uday.

---Adem Towfeik, Captain Team Mashakill

Uday will win! They are more talented.

---Hanny Elsayed, Team Arsenal

Uday will win because they have too many weapons:

---King Khan, Team Dynasty

 

Uday will win because they remind me of Miami Heat – Too much talent in every skilled position:

---Abdullah Sofizada, Crescent Sports Organizer and former CBL All star

 

Mercy will win because I like them (:.

---Special K, Team NGNG

 Congrats to both teams for getting here.  Its never easy to even get here believe me lol.  But I picked Uday to win it all before the the tourney I haven't seen anything to change my mind. Should be another CBL Classic Final as Mercy will battle to end, cant wait!

---Waqas C, Team Bandits

Uday has way too much talent.  Waleed will be tough to contain and will do his part.  But Elvis and rest of Uday will get their first CBL Chip.

---Maaz Bigewala, Team Dynasty, Co-Commissioner of Crescent Basketball Jr. Division

 

Uday will win because they are more of a solid team and are very talented.

---Mehdi, Team Dynasty and 6^th Man of the year Winner.

 

Uday is talented 1-5.  They can score, play defense, and do everything else.  Mercy is a solid team beat Uday in regular season but if Uday controls their temper, they should win.

---Kamil, Captain of Franchise

 

Uday is the better team.  They have five guys that can dribble, rebound, and play solid D.  They work hard each game and will not be stopped.

---Sammy Desai, Captain of Team TakeOver

 

I like Uday.  They defend and they make shots.  These are two things you need to win bball games.

---Abdul Rehman, Team TakeOver

 

I think both teams are full of talent but I feel Uday has the slight edge if they are able to keep their starting five guys out of foul trouble.  If that’s the case, then Uday should win it.  But Waleed and Mike Collins are a tremendous 1-2 punch and should not be taken lightly.

---Azal, Team Mashakill, Defensive MVP Winner

 

No Mercy will win because the Sofizada’s are some of the toughest competitors out there and Waleed is a monster along with Kirby and rest of crew.  I think they have enough heart to pull this one out vs. a Kentucky like team in Uday.

---Razi Hussaini, Former captain of Panthers and current CBL 30+ Member

 

Uday will win.  They are too versatile in many positions.

----Riz Rahman, Captain Team Arsenal

 

Definitely Uday.  They are playing under control.  They have too many weapons.  Any starter can drop 25+ points a game.  And their team rebounding is tremendous.  I see Uday winning by double digits.

---Bearcat, Captain of Team Bearcats

 

Uday will win.  I grew up with all those guys since we were 14 years old.  Plus Elvis deserves one.

---Flance, Team Bandits

 

Uday is the favorite.  They will lose if they do not play as a team.  Mercy has the x-factor in Waleed.  He makes the entire team better and can take over at times.  But his work is cut out for him vs. Uday’s starting line-up.

----Shanni, Formerly of Team Dynasty and current CBL 30+ Member

 

Uday will win.  Their help defense is the best in the league and they are also the fastest team in the league.

---Salman Quader, Team NGNG

I like Uday because we are a full squad and we don’t just depend on one person.  Any one of us can take over the game and we make D as our #1 priority.

---Hakim, Team Uday

 

Uday will win because I have faith in my team.

---Silvio, Team Uday

 

Uday will win because they have more weapons than Mercy.  With Mercy.. You stop Waleed, you stop Mercy.

---Aljo, Team Chaos

 

Uday is who I like.  They are too athletic.  More than one MVP caliber type of player on roster.   Mercy has some key pieces as well.  Congrats to both teams.

---Zahid Hussain, Former Bearcat Captain

 

Uday will win because they have way too  much fire power to guard.

---Moe Hussain, Point Guard, Team TakeOver

I am going with Team Mercy because they have many players from the CBLj league.

---Abu Bakar, Co-Commissioner of Crescent Basketball Jr. Division

I will root for the Sofizada's.

---Shafi, Organizer of Crescent Sports and a member of CBL 30, Crescent Bowling, and Crescent Softball. Division

I like Uday. Waleed may be able to carry the team to a victory but Uday is too good to let that happen.

---Saffi, CBLj Member of Team Hornets and Organizer

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Uday road to the Finals...true story...

Uday road to the finals begins with a shaky start. But as time went on, those boys in orange grew together as a team. Their were many Uday doubters from the start of the season because they went to overtime against Chaos and lost to Mercy. Their new all-star acquisition was Elvis aka Punisher. Not all experts picked Uday to make it to the finals. Critiques thought that we were all just hype and weren't going to be able to play together and also the talks about us not having a bench. After the Takeover win in week 3 we just started playing great help defense and running teams out on a 6 game winning streak not to mention 1st place in the standings. At the mid point of the season after two of their best players got suspended, it allowed Uday's bench to get into the mix. We managed to turn a negative into a positive. After the arrival of both players Uday went on a 4 game winning streak steam rolling through the opponents to end the season. The first round of the playoffs was a breeze. Roll through the bearcats defense like Swiss cheese. The second round proved to be a closer game than anticipated, but the job was done making it to the finals. The key to their victory is that we sacrifice for each other every game because we are all focused on one thing and that's winning the Crescent Cup championship not only just for us but for that name across our jersey. Who they, Uday!

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Of all the participants in this week's finals, only the following players have played in the CBL Finals prior to this season:

Team Mercy: Suhail and Omar Sofizada, Season 1 for Spartans (Defeated Arsenal) Kirby Fariad, Season 2 for Bandits (Lost to Strictly Biz)

Team Uday: Elvis ‘Punisher’, Season 3 (Lost to Dynasty)

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This is the end folks.. the CBL Finals!! The final showdown to see who gets to the mountain top!!  Uday is led by its outspoken veteran Elvis 'Da Punisher' Kukaj.  One of the more entertaining and electric CBL figures sat down to answer 5 burning questions regarding the Finals!



 1 - What's the mood like in Uday's camp about being in CBL's finals?   Are you guys strategically planning for this game or approaching it as business as usual attitude?  Your not taking them lightly.  Right? Please elaborate.   

The mood is not much different than any other game this year. We know we are a good team and we expected to be here and nothing less. There is no special strategy beside the fact that we go out there and play the game the only way we know. We play great defense and we know how to share the ball. Basically playing basketball and taking care of business. Some people may think its a cocky attitude but it's just the fact that Uday has that much talent on the team and that's the bottom line.
 
 2 - There's a lot of talk about Waleed having the ability to raise his game to a higher level to help defeat Uday. Will your team pin-point on Waleed or will you just play them straight up?

Waleed can't beat us alone I don't care what people say or think. He has made it this far because his team has raised to the challenge and nothing less than that. We are gonna play Waleed straight up and try to shut him down. He's a good player but don't forget Uday has the FAB FIVE!!!

 3 - Week two loss to Mercy was the only loss with a full Uday squad. What lesson(s) did you learn from that game? Please elaborate.   

We are a team put together over the phone and never played together until opening day at the CBL. With that said we were still trying to figure each others games out and how to mesh together. If you paid close attention we beat our selves that game because we didn't put them away. They made a shot at the end of the game to beat us. To us that's nothing beside a bump in the road that we caused and could have prevented if we had some practice time. We are the only team in CBL that doesn't practice and basically don't see each other all week until Sunday when we play.
 
 4 - This is Punisher's second trip to the finals.  That team (Bearcats) was arguably favorite to win it all but just came up short.  What lesson(s) have you personally learned from that match-up which will be implemented this season's game.   

This is it for the punisher! Time to put up or shut up! The punisher has his mind set to put up and shut up the critics!!! The lesson I learned that year was don't take anyone lightly!!! Anyone can show up and have a great game!!!! That's what they did and they beat us!! We had a good team but this team is better and more focused!!!! And individually can't be matched up at any position!!!! FAB FIVE BABE!!!!!

 5 - It is duly noted that team Uday is always arguing and bickering with each other when things do not go in their favor.  What's up with that?  Why do you behave like that?  Especially since your team is so talented.  Doesn't this give your team unnecessary attention.   

It's quite simple!! WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE TO ANYONE!!!! We know how good we are and we know that there is no team in the CBL that can match up with us!!!!!! It's that simple!!!!! We expect a high level of play from all our teammate and when they don't deliver we let them know and try to get them focused on playing the game!!!! Sometimes we may look like we are falling apart or even look like we do it purposely to draw attention but that's far from the truth!!!!! With the exception of the veteran BIG PUNISHER these guys are young and I try and keep these guys in line and focused on that championship. It's not easy but I lead and show by example so they buy in slowly but surely!!!! What can I say we have plenty of different personalities on this team and balancing them all is a challenge in itself. We have a lot of guys sacrificing in order to win that championship!!!! That's what it's all about!!!! UDAY CBL CHAMPIONS 2012 BOOK IT LIKE IT OR NOT!!!!!! BIG PUNISHER OVER AND OUT!!!!!

5 Questions for Naveed - Mercy

1 - It was noted that Waleed was in attack mode from the 'get-go' vs Mashakill and it put their key defensive player in early foul trouble.   Is that the plan in the Finals when more than likely Silvio will be guarding him?  If so what type of scheme will Silvio throw at him?

 

Trick question. Waleed is always in attack mode. I’m pretty sure that he knows he has to bring his A-game this Sunday, just like he does every other Sunday. Silvio is very talented on the defensive end. I am not really sure of what “defensive scheme” he is going to throw at Waleed. However, I do know that Uday prides themselves on being one of the few teams in the CBL that plays man to man defense. I assume Silvio will guard Waleed straight up and there will be occasional help defense.

 

 

2 - How do you and your team feel about being in the first ever CBL Finals?  Does this appearance make up for all those years of having so much talent but falling short? What separates this season's team compared to others?

 

It’s a normal playoff game to us. We’re not overly excited with just being at this stage. This is a must win situation just like all other playoff games. We have been in must win situations before and it’s pretty much the same deal here. This finals appearance doesn’t really change anything about the way the previous seasons ended. We aren’t really too concerned with history at this point. We are focused on our game this Sunday. There’s a lot separating this team from our team in previous years. For starters, it’s all new faces with the exceptions of myself, Waleed and Omar Nokaly. This team is composed of veteran guys who understand that we must play together in order to succeed. This team is also better defensively than our team in previous years.

 

 

3 - Do you see yourself as the underdogs?  Let's be realistic...they have five guys who could be the #1 player on any team.  If you had to, which one Uday you wish had a flat tire on the finals and could not attend?

 

There is no doubt in my mind that we are the underdogs. We have been underdogs since we entered in week 2. I think top to bottom, every player on our team is extremely underrated. Omar S. is one of the purest shooters in this league. Suhail is one of the most gifted offensive players. Not only is Kirby a complete ball player but there are elements to his game that would surprise most people. Omar Nokaly may be hands down the most underrated guy in this league. He’s had two of the toughest defensive assignments in having to guard Hanny of Arsenal and Cody of Mashakill back to back. I feel people forget too often that he can ball with the best of them. Mike Collins is one of the premier big men and he’s been nothing short of exceptional the past few weeks. I am also confident that Sami Rabb can give us quality minutes when his number is called. The Crescent Community predicted us to lose against Arsenal and Mashakill. I expect for them to predict that we are going to lose again. It doesn’t bother me one bit. We strive to prove the doubters wrong. If I had to pick a Uday guy to sit out, it would definitely be Silvio. Silvio is their best defensive player and if the game came down to a final shot, I feel he would be the one to take it.

 

 

 

4 - Your team lacks in size vs Uday.  What's the game plan to address the size disadvantage?  Do you see yourself going to the bench to get the extra help needed?  What if they box one Waleed?

 

I would have to disagree. I don’t think there is a size disadvantage. If we were to matchup man to man with Uday, I don’t think any of their guys have a considerable size advantage over our guys. I could foresee us going to the bench and getting quality minutes from our reserve players. I highly doubt they will place a box and one on Waleed. As I stated earlier, Uday prides themselves on their man to man defense. In the event this changes, we will adjust accordingly.

 

 

 

5 - what impresses you the most about Uday?   Have you ever seen a team like theirs in the history of CBL?   Some compare them to the Kentucky Wildcats with all those bigs.   

 

The thing that impresses me the most about Uday is their unselfishness. Most of the guys in their starting 5 could be the No. 1 option on any team in this league. However, they all settled and came to the realization that not every person on the team can be the star player. I am also impressed by how Uday plays a very uptempo game without going to their bench too often. It’s amazing how they still manage to do that with clock stoppage. The Kentucky Wildcats comparison is definitely an interesting one. However, Lets keep in mind Anthony Davis (Mike Collins) plays for No Mercy. On that note, I would like to congratulate my brothers on Uday for making it this far. It is a big accomplishment in itself. I want to wish them the best of luck in the finals.