With the first-round of play at the Siam University Sports Centre in Bangkhae concluded, only the top three teams of each group in the men's event advanced to the second round, while the top two teams in group's A and B made the cut in the women's competition.

In the women's Group A, the star-studded Bangkok Bank A and Rattanabundit had already booked their places in the semi-finals after both collected eight points from three straight wins.

Yesterday's matchup was to determine the group winners.

The in-form bankwomen, powered by national player Nunthana Charoenrat, topped Group A following a scintillating 91-53 triumph over Rattanabundit.

As expected, Nunthana emerged as Bangkok Bank A's top scorer with 23 points, while Naruemol Wandee, also a national player, scored 24 points for the varsity team.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Bank B, Wat Noi Noppakhun Parents

and Teachers Association and Hi-Tech were tied on five points in Group B.

A draw was held to decide which teams would face each other in Thursday's semi-finals.

According to the draw, Group A champions Bangkok Bank A will take on Bangkok Bank B in one semi-final, while Group B winners Wat Noi Noppakhun Parents and Teachers Association will challenge Rattanabundit in the other semi-final.

In the men's category, Royal Thai Navy survived a sturdy challenge from the inexperienced Samut Prakarn to take a 64-55 victory and fifth place in Group B.

Alitta Tangrungruengkit

The Nation