Basketball
Titans tame Sanathnagar PG to win 6th Samuel Vasanth Kumar Memorial Basketball
When the teams lined up to be introduced to the guests, Titans and Sanathnagar Playground hoopsters presented a picture of contrasts. Sanathnagar Playground hoopsters towered over the Titans as they were head and shoulders above their rivals. The final game could well be titled ‘David vs Goliath’.
By the end of the game, Titans showed why David always prevails over Goliath as they dished out an exhilarating performance after the break to score a runaway 92-76 victory and lay their hands on the winner’s trophy and a cash prize of Rs 15,000.
It was a final befitting the close of the 6th Samuel Vasanth Kumar Memorial Basketball Tournament at the YMCA Secunderabad on Wednesday evening. Titans came from one point behind at the break to eke out what proved to be a comfortable victory in the end.
Titans (left) and Sanathnagar Playground (right) hoopsters pose for a picture before the start of the final of the 6th Samuel Vasanth Kumar Memorial Basketball Tournament at YMCA Secunderabad on Wednesday evening
Titans were off the block quickly as Surya started the proceedings with a 3-pointer. Salman then netted two 3-pointers and Nandit dominated the paint as Titans scored a massive 28 points. Sanathnagar’s Tejendra and Nikhil chipped in with timely baskets, but Titans took the honours in the first quarter as they led 28-17.
In the second quarter, Sanathnagar changed their tactics to contain the rampant Titans. They switched to man-to-man marking and with a tight defense restricted Titans to just eight points. In turn, Sanathnagar Playground hoopsters scored 20 points through Sai and Tejendra. Sai with his accurate drive-ins scored 10 consecutive points as Sanathnagar took a one-point lead. They led 37-36 at half-time.
After change of ends, the match went neck and neck as both teams matched each other basket to basket. With just 50 seconds left for the end of the third quarter, Salman netted a 3-pointer and Vignesh scored off a steal to take a crucial six-point lead. Titans were back at the helm of affairs as they led 63-57.
In the final session of play, Sanathnagar tried hard to bridge the gap through Sudershan and Tejendra but the Titans were in no mood to concede even an inch of the court. Titans increased the tempo of their game to score quick baskets through Vignesh, Surya and Nandit. The Titans scored a whopping 29 points to seal the match at 92-76.
Last season’s runners-up YMCA Secunderabad finished third and Victory Playground were fourth in the tournament.
Runners-up Sanathnagar PG with K John Manoj, Nikhat Banu, Amita Daniel, Ruth Vasantha and other guests. Pics: Mohd Hadi
International table tennis player Nikhat Banu, who is with the Reserve Bank of India, was the chief guest and the guests of honour were K John Manoj, former secretary of the Hyderabad Cricket Association, G Giridhar, proprietor, Giridhar & Co, and Amita Daniel, physical director of St Francis College for Women. Ruth Vasantha, wife of late Samuel Vasanth Kumar and other family members too were present during the final.
The winners’ trophy was given away by Nikhat Banu and Ruth Vasantha. Titans were richer by Rs 15,000. The runners-up trophy was given away by K John Manoj and Amita Daniel. Sanathnagar Playground had to be content with Rs 10,000.
The Best Coach Trophy went to B Ravinder. Most Promising Player was Rakesh of YMCA Secunderabad and Most Valuable Player was Surya of Titans.
The winners and runners-up trophies were donated by Good Training Basketball Academy. Other donors who helped in the successful conduct of the tournament were: A Kiran Kumar of DSD Café & Kitchen, Bandlaguda Jagir, G Giridhar, G Rajaraman, Ruth Vasantha and Rosemary Grace.
The others guests were D Paul Benjamin, former sports editor of the Times of India, V Kalyan, president, Sports Writers Association of Telangana, A Joseph Antony, secretary, Sports Writers Association of Telangana, Sushil Rao Chilkuri, director, Claritas Global Media, Norman Isaac, secretary of The Hyderabad District Basketball Association (THDBA), Eugene George, treasurer, THDBA, and others from the basketball fraternity.
The tournament was conducted by Sports Writers Association of Telangana (SWAT) under the aegis of The Hyderabad District Basketball Association.
Result: Titans 92 (Salman 21, Nandit 21, Kunal 14, Surya 13) beat Sanathnagar Playground 76 (Jasim 31, Tejendra 21) Half-time: 36-37.
Follow scores and results of all games here:
https://whatsscore.com/tournament-group/413138/tournaments/413141/view