The Sri Lanka Men`s Basketball Team, crowned South Asian Basketball Champions for 2018, arrived in the island nation with the trophy last night.

South Asian Basketball Championship 2018 (SABA 2018) tipped off on the 27th of June, featuring Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal. The tournament operated under the new FIBA tournament structure where it acted as the preliminary qualifiers for the FIBA Asia Cup 2021. The top two teams of the SABA 2018, will book slots in the second qualifier for the FIBA Asia Cup 2021, which will be played in September 2019.

Sri Lanka going in as the favorites of the tournament, clean swept the field and remained unbeaten. Hosts Bangladesh was beaten 65-34, Nepal ended on the losing side 70 – 57, Maldives and Bhutan were beaten, 82-57, 71-60 respectively.

Photo Album – Sri Lanka, South Asian Basketball Champions 2018 – Team Arrival

ThePapare.com spoke with the key figures behind the team becoming the first SABA Champions from Sri Lanka in the history of the sport.

Head Coach – Susil Udukumubura

“Extremely happy about what we achieved. We had around a month to practice for the tournament. We had good, hard and committed practice sessions, sacrificing a lot. The only dream we had was to become the champions of the SABA 2018. That is the conversation that I had with the players from the start, on how to win this tournament and we could achieve that. I would like to thank all the players, Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, Sports Ministry of Sri Lanka and everyone who helped us”.

Captain – Roshan Suranga

” Firstly, I would like to thank the entire Sri Lanka and all our basketball fans for the support they showed to us. We are very happy to win this championship for Sri Lanka for the first time. I would like to thank the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation and everyone one who supported us to achieve this victory.

Senior Player – Roshan Randima

“Well last time we couldn`t win the SABA Championship because we had little mistakes on our side. This year we could rectify those errors and play more as a team and that is why we were able to win the championship. We must prepare more for the next round; the matches will be more tough. So, if we prepare well we could cross that hurdle too”.

Team Manager – Hashendra Fernando  

“This is the first time Sri Lanka Basketball achieved this feat so this is a very special win for us. I am very happy and all the players gave their 100% and that is why we are here today and for that I am very grateful to the players. I would like to thank the two coaches and the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation and everyone who supported us”.  

Shifting the focus from defense to offense and rattling the opposition rhythm stood as the prime reason for Sri Lanka to achieve the feat while from the most senior player to the debutants played quality basketball which turned the table around.

ThePapare.com congratulates the Sri Lanka Basketball Team on their victory!

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