The national Basketball team breaking ground came second to take silver medal in the South Asian Basketball Championships. The championship which is the qualifier for the Asian Championships to be held later this year, was worked off from the 3rd -5th July 2015 in Bangalore, India. The tournament which concluded today, saw Sri Lanka losing to India in the final 93-44.
In the first match of the tournament, Sri Lanka took on Bhutan where the national baskteters won it convincingly as the score board read 100-57 at full time. Praneeth Udumalagala topped the scorers list as he scored twenty eight points. He was well backed up by Timothy Nithushan with a well-made seventeen. Chimi Wangchuk scored twelve points for Bhutan while Yarab Singye scored ten points. The score breakdown is as 100-57 (31-14, 18-13, 31-09, 20-21)
The second match of the tournament was played against Maldives where Sri Lanka went on to score ninety two points at full time to get past the winning line. Praneeth Udumalagala with a dazzling performance scored twenty eight points and etched nine rebounds. Former national skipper Chamath Dhanawamsa scored eleven points and dished out five assists. Vice-captain Roshan Fernando scored eleven points. Ahamed Aushan managed to score sixteen points for the fellow Maldivians. The score breakdown is – 92-66 (19-12, 17-17, 25-22, 31-15)
The unbeaten run for the lions continued as they beat Bangaldesh in the third match of the tournament. At full time the score board read as 80-63. Praneeth Udumalagala scored twenty six points and he was backed up yet again by Timothy Nithushan as he scored twenty one points. Sudesh Ahamed fixed eleven rebounds and scored ten points. Mithunkumara Bisawas manages to score twenty points and grab thirteen rebounds for Bangladesh at full time. The score breakdown is – 80-63 (20-21,15-14, 23-16, 22 -12)
The fourth match of the tournament was played against Nepal where the island nation’s team rolled out for 76-68 victory at full time. Roshan Randima socred sixteen points and he was backed very well by Timothy Nithushan and Sudesh Ahamed who scored fourteen and eleven points respectively. Ayush Singh scored thirteen points for Nepal while Bikram Joshi scored twelve points. The score breakdown is as 76-68 (18-23, 18-17, 22-15, 18-24)
The final match was set up against the South Asian giants India who had remained unbeaten until the finals.. Praneeth Udumalagala and Timothy Nithushan fought valiantly but the host nation was a bit too far out of reach. India led the game 46-26 at half time and started the third quarter with 9-0 run which took the game away from island’s lads. The scoreboard depicted figures of 93-44 at full time as Sri Lanka tucked away the silver medal of the tournament.
Even though Sri Lanka did not qualify for the FIBA Asian Championship, the character and the sportsmanship of the local lads to finish off the tournament on such a high note is worthy of the applause of a nation. The efforts of the coach Panduka Rnanasinghe and the team officials – Manager Faizel Deva together with the players indeed commendable.
ThePapare.com congratulates the team
photo credits to Faizel Deva – Manager – Sri Lanka National Basketball Team
