Panjim: The State Senior Basketball Championships for Men and Women tipped off in exciting fashion at the Don Bosco Oratory, Panjim, with Don Bosco Academy A, Knights Veterans, and YMCA Knights booking their berths in the quarterfinals after dominant performances on the opening day.
The tournament, co-sponsored by Priority Constructions and organised by the Lourdes Basketball Club under the aegis of the Goa Basketball Association (GBA) and the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG), drew an enthusiastic crowd who witnessed a fine display of skill and teamwork.
In the first match, Don Bosco Academy Fatorda proved far too strong for Kamikaze, cruising to a 55–16 victory. Tanish (13 points) and Bradley Barreto (11 points) led the scoring for Fatorda, while Afzal was the standout for Kamikaze with 6 points.
The Knights Veterans showcased their class and experience in the next encounter, defeating Don Bosco Academy B with a 42–12 win. Daley Fernandes (10 points) led from the front, supported by seasoned campaigners Spencer Viegas, Bosco, and Charles D’Souza. The young Don Bosco B side, featuring several U-17 Goa squad members, displayed promise and determination despite the heavy defeat.
YMCA Knights capped off the day with a commanding 46–5 triumph over St Thomas Aldona. Rahul D’Souza (11 points) starred for YMCA, with strong all-round contributions from Shaun Aranjo and Jaedan Vaz, sealing their spot in the last eight.
The championship was formally inaugurated in the presence of Norman Isaac, Chairman of the Technical Committee of the Basketball Federation of India (BFI), Fr. Ralin De Souza, Vice President of BFI, and Shane Dias, President of GBA. Also present were GBA officials Olencio Dias, Sonali Raut Desai, Helen Pinto, and Lourdes Basketball Club representatives Jeshua Pinto and Jordan Xavier.
With an action-packed start, the tournament promises thrilling basketball as teams continue their quest for state glory.
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