Published: October 15, 2026 at 8:44 pm
Mamata Medical College came from behind to down Freestyle Ballers, while Golden Phoenixes thrashed State Bank of India (Amaravati) to march into Level II at the GM Sampath Kumar Annual Basketball Championship 2026-27 at the YMCA Secunderabad on Thursday.
After a gruelling 15 playing days spanning about a month Level III matches were completed with four teams progressing to Level II.
In the last qualification knockout matches played on Thursday, Mamata Medical College staged a hard-fought comeback win over Freestyle Ballers 64-59 after trailing 27-38 at half-time.
Greyhounds and Mahendra Hills qualify for promotion to Level II at GMS Basketball
Golden Phoenixes joined the other 3 teams from Level III to Level II after easing past State Bank of India (Amravati) 58-30 after leading 31-18 at half-time.
Freestyle Ballers looked rustic in the 1st quarter as Kinshuk & Sachin could score only 12 points, more so because Abhiram could not convert many ball positions from the paint.
Sreekanth of Mamata Medical College stole the show scoring 12 of the 18 points scored in the 1st quarter to help his side lead 18-12.
In the 2nd quarter, Freestyle Ballers tightened their defense on Sreekanth which affected Mamata Medical College’s scoring. They were able to get just 9 points in this period. On the other hand, Freestyle Ballers, playing a fast-paced game by Kinshuk, Sachin and Abhiram, scored through fast breaks and with Surya tanking three 3-pointers they got a massive 26 points. In the process, Freestyle Ballers built up a 11-point lead (38-27) at half time.
After change of ends, the tall and lanky Freestyle Ballers could not capitalise on their height advantage as they missed too many baskets from the paint and they ended up scoring 12 points. In the meantime, Sreekanth regained his composure and scored 9 points and with Akash chipping in with 3 baskets, Mamata Medical College scored 15 points to reduce the deficit to just eight points (50-42) by the end of the 3rd quarter.
Within four minutes of the 4th quarter, Mamata Medical College tightened their defense and with Sreekanth & Akash scoring through fast breaks levelled the scores at 50-50. Thereafter, the match went neck-and-neck. With just four minutes left on the clock, the scores were level 55-55. Dheeraj of Mamata Medical College scored a 3-pointer, while Srikanth & Akash scored a basket apiece to take a 55-62 lead.
Freestyle Ballers tried hard for a comeback but were denied by the tight defense as Mamata Medical College finally won the match 64-59.
Results: Mamata Medical College 64 (Sreekanth 29, Akash 21, Dheeraj 8) beat Freestyle Ballers 59 (Kinshuk 21, Surya 10, Sachin 9) Half Time: 27-38.
Golden Phoenixes 58 (David 13, Kanthu 13, Khader 8) beat State Bank of India (Amravati) 30 (Shivam 14, Sagar 9) Half Time: 31-18.
