PANJIM: St Xavier College, Mapusa made short work of BITS-Pilani, Zuarinagar in the final to clinch the title in the boys section of the Indian College Basketball League organised by Basketball Federation of India and Goa Basketball Association in collaboration with IMG Reliance, at Fr Benedict Memorial Indoor Stadium, Don Bosco, Panjim, on Wednesday.
In the girls section, SS Dempo College, Altinho-Panjim upset Rosary College, Navelim to claim the title.
Shawn Soares once again shone for St Xavier scoring 20 points just as he did throughout the ICBL. He was deservingly awarded the Most Valuable Player. His team-mate Flobert Monteiro won the Best Defender prize while Vijit Maithal, who top-scored for BITS-Pilani with seven points was adjudged the Rising Star.
SS Dempo College overcame the challenge of Rosary College 33-18 with Kezia Fernandes (14) top-scoring. She was ably supported by Hannah Abreu, who scored 11 points to outplay the Navelim girls, who incidentally had won the league rubber between the two teams.
Kezia was declared the Best Defender while Piola Fernandes of Rosary College won the Rising Star award. Sandra Joao of Dempo’s was adjudged the Most Valuable Player.
Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza was the chief guest and witnessed the entire boys final in the company of Corporation of City of Panaji Mayor Surendra Furtado, Fr Savio Gomes, rector of Don Bosco, Panjim; Fr Avin Carvalho, principal of Don Bosco, Panjim, and Goa Basketball Association President Fr Ralin De Souza.
Earlier, Don Bosco College of Engineering, Fatorda and St Xavier’s clinched the third place in the boys and girls section respectively.
Meanwhile, the Indian School Basketball League (ISBL) Goa Challengers will be organised by the Basketball Federation of India and Goa Basketball Association in collaboration with IMG Reliance at Fr Agnel education complex, Verna from December 5.
