It was a tremendous day on the courts, for both – Goa’s men and women’s basketball teams at the ongoing 73rd National Basketball Championships in Ludhiana, Punjab
The men’s team kept their unbeaten run going on Day 3, winning their third game on the trot defeating Meghalaya 67-33.
Shiva U had a strong game, making his presence felt under the ring, using his size to good advantage to top score with 17 points. He was strongly supported by Gaurav Singh with 13, and Akhil Jacob with 10 points. Jeshua Pinto ,Tanish Lotlicar and Mahipal Singh with 6 points each rounded off the scoring for the Goan team.
There was more good news in store. In an afternoon match, the Goa women’s team opened their account winning their first match of the championships, defeating Jharkhand 45-36.
Sarah Hussein used her speed and guile to top score with 15 points, Shimei Nathan used her height and moves within the ‘D area’ to score 10 points , and Atika Suriya scored 8 points to help Goa win the close match.
And the icing on the cake came when the men’s team playing their second match of the day, beat a much higher-ranked Haryana team 86-72, in a match that was neck and neck till the 3rd quarter. In a match between the current toppers of Group C, Goa had a slim lead for almost the entire game. And although the Haryana lads kept bringing the scores close, the Goan team proved too good on the day.
Captain Jeshua Pinto once again showcased his speed on defence and offence leading the charge with his high intensity game and top scoring with 21 points, Gaurav also used his speed and strength to score 18, while Mahipal kept making key 3 pointers to end with 16 points.
The Goan men’s team now sits on top of Group C with one game to go. A win in their final group game will propel them into the knockout stages, a level where no Goan men’s basketball team has reached till date.
