Central Rly, Savio Club supreme

Central Railway and Savio Club eased to convincing championship round wins for the men’s and boys’ under-18 titles, respectively, in the 125th YMCA Open Basketball Tournament, at the Ghatkopar YMCA.

A supremely confident Central Railway overcame Maharashtra State Police 6154 in the men’s final, while Savio Club ended Bandra YMCA’s campaign with a 6047 victory.

Central Railway raced to a 21-10 lead in the first quarter to seize early advantage and kept the momentum going right to the end while holding on to substantial leads in all the four quarters. With ‘player of the tournament’ Amit Gehlot delighting with three-pointers and Loveneet Singh keeping the scoreboard ticking with regular lay-ups, pivot Raj Kalbhor controlled the contest immaculately and Melwyn Rego proved effective in defence as Central Railway, whowere without Fardeen Khan, remained at the helm.

MSP initiated a determined bid to stay in the contest and closed in at 48-56 a minute and 35 seconds from close but Kalbhor took it away with a rebound and a free throw that subdued MSP’s challenge.

Following a dream start that gave them an 11-8 lead in the opening quarter, Bandra YMCA, who were behind 1922 at half time, lost their way in the second half as Savio Club went on the rampage in the third and fourth quarters through the significant efforts of captain Gaurav Rajangali, ‘player of the tournament’ Trishul Kosambi and the industrious Aniket Dongre who combined brilliantly in swift and aggressive raids to keep Bandra YMCA in check. Results : (Finals): Men: Central Railway 61 (Amit Gehlot 18, Loveneet Singh 12, Raj Kalbhor 10) bt MSP 54 (Kapil Gaikwad 14, Mahesh Nagane 10, Sanjay Salunkhe 8).

Boys U-18: Savio Club 60 (Gaurav Rajangali 14, Trishul Kosambi 10, Aniket Dongre 8) bt Bandra YMCA 47 (Vinit Selvaraj 12, Aarmaen Askari 8).