The second edition of The All Star Games 2023 came to an electrifying culmination on Sunday as YMCA Knights clinched the men’s title while Sonics lifted the women’s trophy after the hard-fought finals at Don Bosco Oratory indoor hall, Panaji.
Sonics got the better of a fighting YMCA Infiknights 30-26, while YMCA Knights edged past a battling Lourdes Basketball Club 56-53.
The All Star Finals day started with a bang, as Sonics with their physicality maintained an upper hand on the YMCA Infiknights side, who fought tooth and nail.
Sonics’ captain Bhawna led her team with an impressive 13 points, while centre Shimi added 9 points. Bhawna was named the tournament MVP. The YMCA Infiknights put up a valiant effort, with Amisha leading the charge with 11 points, closely followed by Charmaine with 6 points.
The high point of the night, however, was the tremendous tussle for the men’s title where YMCA Knights were thoroughly tested by the young ballers of Lourdes BC before the hosts side made it home by a three-point margin.
Flobert Monteiro was the standout Knight, contributing an impressive 21 points. Monteiro was deservedly named tournament MVP. Shaun Aranjo and Abraham Menezes both added 11 points to their team’s tally. Lourdes Basketball Club captain Jeshua Pinto delivered a stunning show as he scored 28 points while Jordan Dias had 11 points to his name. Lourdes’ Micah Pinto was named the upcoming player.
Meanwhile in a veterans exhibition match, Roy’s Knights outclassed Shane’s Jordans 44-25.
A big crowd of basketball fans had turned out for the finals of the The All Star Games 2023 as part of the 8th edition of YMCA Knights Basketball Tournament powered by Ecoclean Systems and Solutions.
