Team Herald
PANJIM: United Basketball Alliance (UBA) will host one-of-a-kind exhibition-cum-contest, UBA Season 4 All-Star Game, which will feature a never-seen- before national and international talents on one court at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium, Taleigao plateau, on March 16.
Fifteen best players from the UBA North Division will take on the 15 best from the South Division in an exciting and flashy contest. The purpose of an All-Star game is to bring the best talent from all the teams around the league on one stage where they can exhibit their skills in an entertaining contest to entertain the crowd. The All-Star Game will see some of India’s best players playing alongside international players from the USA.
Jimmy Scroggins (Mumbai Challengers) (USA) speaking on the occasion said the contest has received a great response and fans are exceptionally phenomenal.
“India has embraced me. Coming into the country and feeling the energy, the love and the passion that the kids and fans has shown, not only myself but all of the players in the UBA, is exceptionally phenomenal to experience,” he said
“Being here in India and playing with my fellow Indian player has created a family bond with my teammates. The Mumbai Challengers team has been phenomenal. The Indian players mashed really well with the international players on all levels.”
“I have formed friendship that will last a lifetime in India and I am thankful to that”, he added.
On the occasion UBA also awarded the India and international most valuable player. Vishesh Bhriguvanshi (Bengaluru Beast) bagged the Indian Most valuable Player award while Dermaine Crockrell (Punjab Steelers) won the International Most valuable Player.
The Indian MVP was awarded a Bajaj Pulsar RS 200 sports bike and the International MVP took home $2500 as the prize for their outstanding contributions.
Indian MVP Vishesh led Bengaluru Beast to a 3-3 record in the regular season, averaging 28.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 10 assists (tied for 2nd). International MVP Dermaine led Punjab Steelers to a 2-6 record while averaging a league-leading 41.2 points along with 8.2 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game.
UBA Pro Basketball semi-finals and championship series will be in the best-of-three format, ensuring that the most deserving team wins, providing the fans with an electric playoff atmosphere and played from March 10 to 16. The semi-finals would kick start with Mumbai Challengers facing Punjab Steelers in the North Division at 4.30 pm and the Pune Peshwas going up against Bengaluru Beast in the South Division at 7 p.m.
The semi-finals and finals will be telecast live on the Ten Sports network channels – Ten 1 HD and Ten 3.
