PANAJI
Loyola, Margao and Don Bosco Sports Academy, Fatorda were crowned Boys and Girls champions respectively at the Group Priority State Sub Junior Basketball Championship 2026, organised by Aliens Basketeers in association with the Goa Basketball Association at Don Bosco Oratory, Panaji.
In the Boys final, Loyola defeated fellow Margao outfit Libania Cagers 44-18, dominating from the opening quarter with scores of 14-7, 12-3, 11-4 and 7-4. Adriel Rosario led Loyola with 19 points, while Kurt D’Silva added 13. Joshua Cardoso scored 8 and Deshawn Cardoso 6 for Libania. Adriel Rosario was adjudged the Boys’ Final MVP.
In the Girls final, Don Bosco Sports Academy, Fatorda defeated St. Mary’s Girls High School, Mapusa 23-15 after overcoming an 8-6 first-quarter deficit. DBSA bounced back strongly in the second quarter, outscoring St. Mary’s 8-0, before taking the third 5-2 and going down 4-5 in the final quarter. Eva Mascarenhas top-scored for DBSA with 12 points, while Jaezel Barreto contributed 7. Ancila Fernandes led St. Mary’s with 7 points, with Aneley Lobo adding 4. Eva Mascarenhas was adjudged the Girls’ Final MVP.
The finals was graced by Fr. Tamatur Cardozo, Rector, Don Bosco, Panjim; Bro James Marcus, Director, DBO Panjim, Fr. Ralin D’Souza, Vice President, Basketball Federation of India; and GBA office bearers Shane Dias, Parind Nachnolkar, Andrew Cardozo, Lyndon Monteiro, Sandeep Heble, Ashley Do Rosario and Sonali Raut Dessai. On the occasion, Aliens Basketeers felicitated former basketball players Jack Ajit Sukhija, Councillor, CCP, and Thereza Fernandes, Director, Accounts, for their sporting achievements and contributions to society. The proceedings were compered by Ryan D’Souza.
