Team Herald
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PANJIM: Ponda Basketball Club, Don Bosco Oratory Panjim and KJs secured their quarter-final spots with strong performances on Day Two of the State Senior Basketball Championships for Men and Women organised by Lourdes Basketball Club under the aegis of Goa Basketball Association and the Sports Authority of Goa at Don Bosco Oratory, Panjim, on Thursday.
Ponda Basketball Club opened with a 62-42 win over Siolim Basketeers in a game far closer than the scoreline suggests. The contest turned on the individual brilliance of captain Mangesh Pawar, one of Goa’s top players, who dropped 25 points with his trademark drives and long-range accuracy. Kunal Patil (11 pts) and Sanmay Bandekar (8 pts) added valuable support. Siolim Basketeers fought hard through Roger Fernandes (10 pts), Neil D’Souza (10 pts) and Royston Araujo (7 pts).
Don Bosco Oratory Panjim then swept past PCCE Pacers 60-20, led by rising star and recent Sonics U-17 finals MVP Avner Mendonca, who impressed again with 11 points and an all-round display.
Young talents Jairam Agni (12 pts) and Kevin D’Souza (8 pts) continued their strong form in the senior division. PCCE’s Vitor Rodrigues showed heart with 14 points.
In the final game, KJs overpowered Thunder Dribblers 44-13, driven by veteran Shivkumar U (12 pts) dominating inside, with Arun Kumar (10 pts) and Salman Syed (9 pts) keeping the scoreboard ticking. Thejasezo top scored for Thunder Dribblers with seven points.
