Published: February 10, 2026 at 9:07 pm
YMCA Hyderabad made a slow start against Devraj and for most of the early part of the game were lagging behind their opponents. The well-built and sturdy Devraj hoopsters had the upper hand as they ran the YMCA players ragged. But things changed after the break as YMCA Hyderabad hoopsters pulled up their socks to being their campaign in a rousing manner.
YMCA Hyderabad scored a thrilling 67-61 win over Devraj after trailing 29-35 at half time in the 6th Samuel Vasanth Kumar Memorial Basketball Tournament conducted by Sports Writers Association of Telangana (SWAT) under the technical guidance of The Hyderabad District Basketball Association at YMCA Secunderabad on Tuesday evening.
Krishna (blue) of YMCA Hyderabad goes for the basket as Devraj’s Yeshwanth and Pranay look on during their match in the 6th Samuel Vasanth Kumar Memorial Basketball Tournament at the YMCA Secunderabad on Tuesday evening. Pics: Mohd Hadi
Devraj started well with Amit, Suraj and Tribhuvan combining well to score 19 points with as many as three 3-pointers. Sumith of YMCA Hyderabad waged a lone battle scoring 10 of the 15 points scored by YMCA as Devraj led 19 – 15 at the end of the 1st quarter.
In the 2nd quarter too, Devraj continued in the same manner scoring 16 points with Tribhuvan using his height well to score from the paint. Agni scored 14 points for YMCA to keep his side within striking distance of their rivals. Devraj led 35-29 at half time.
After change of ends, YMCA tightened their defense and thereby stopping the outside shooting of Devraj. YMCA restricted Devraj hoopsters to just six points and in turn they started playing a fast-pacing game. They scored 18 points through Krish and Bala to take a decisive 47-41 lead at the end of the 3rd quarter.
Agni (blue) of YMCA Hyderabad is airborne as he attempts a basket even as Devraj hoopsters Yeshwanth and Tribhuvan look on
In the final quarter, Devraj was just unable to stop Krish as he scored 10 consecutive points. Gattu too chipped in with timely free shots to put YMCA right on top. Devraj, on other hand, tried to catch up as Arief scored 9 points in the last quarter. However, YMCA held onto the lead and finally won the match 67-61.
Govada Giridhar inaugurates tournament
Earlier the tournament was inaugurated by CA Govada Giridhar, FCA, Proprietor, M/s GIRIDHAR & CO. in the presence of Ruth Vasantha, wife of late EA Samuel Vasanth Kumar. The portrait of Samuel Vasanth Kumar was garlanded by Ruth Vasantha.
Govada Giridhar and Ruth Vasantha then unveiled the winners and runners-up trophies after which the chief guest Govada Giridhar was introduced to both the teams before the opening game took off. Giridhar wished both the teams and also other participating teams in the tournament success. He also congratulated the organisers for conducting the tournament and giving basketball players an opportunity to showcase their talent.
Prize Catch: The winners and runners-up trophies
Result: YMCA Hyderabad 67 (Krish 22, Sumith 18, Gattu 9, Agni 8, Bala 7) beat Devraj 61 (Tribhuvan 16, Amit 12, Suraj 10, Arief 9). Half Time: 29-35.
