360, Ghatkopar YMCA champs
Ghatkopar YMCA and 360 Life Changer fashioned exciting victories to emerge women’s and girls’ under-16 champions, respectively, in the 125th YMCA Open Basketball Tournament, at the Ghatkopar YMCA.
Ghatkopar YMCA beat Indian Gymkhana 37-25, after leading 21-16 at half time and enduring a stiff second-half challenge, while 360 Life Changer, who trailed 18-19 at half time, rallied to a pulsating 42-40 win over St. Anthony’s Club.
Semi-final star Geo Blessen once again made the difference to Ghatkopar YMCA’s fortunes in the women’s final with another impressive performance that earned her the ‘player of the tournament’. Blessen, who was aided by the reliable quartet of Lissa Rani, Bridgit Panicker, Beena Ovy and Meena Shah, was the topscorer with 12 points. Ghatkopar YMCA held on dearly in the third and fourth quarters and capitalised on the 11-4 advantage in the opening quarter that proved decisive.
Trailing 19-20 early in the third quarter and 19-28 later, St. Anthony’s initiated a stunning recovery to close in at 2728 at the start of the fourth and final quarter against a formidable 360 Life Changer. St. Anthony’s showed no sign of missing the services of star shooter Suzanne Pinto as Jiyaa Kukreja and Rhea Thomas took over to lead the charge.
Following the envious ninepoint lead in the third quarter, 360 Life Changer survived anxious moments in the last quarter as the St. Anthony’s girls stretched every sinew in an intense battle for supremacy. They lit up a contest that could have gone either way when they drew level at 38-all two minutes from the end and led 40-39 with 58 seconds remaining, until ‘player of the tournament’ Tanisha Malvankar fired a free throw for 360 to draw level at 40-40 and Althea Ficardo’s brilliant lay-up ended the gripping encounter.