PANAJI
YMCA Knights (Veterans) were crowned Veterans All Goa Basketball Champions after registering a convincing 44“25 victory over Siolim Basketeers in the final, turning the match decisively in their favour with a dominant second-half display. Siolim Basketeers had edged ahead 20“19 at halftime in a keenly contested opening half, but Knights stepped up the tempo after the break, tightening their defence and converting key opportunities to pull away comfortably by the final buzzer.
Leading the charge for Knights was veteran ace Bosco Furtado, one of the most recognised names in Goa’s basketball circles and a former mainstay of powerhouse teams such as Don Bosco Oratory Fatorda, Fatorda Fire and Margao Basketeers. Rolling back the years, Bosco delivered a masterclass performance, top-scoring with 25 points and impressing with his trademark ball handling and shooting touch. Ehrlick De Ataide provided valuable support with 7 points, while captain Roy Gaspar marshalled his forces with composure and experience. For Siolim Basketeers, Ravi Rajan led the scoring with 13 points, ably assisted by Vijay Rajan with 5, but Knights’ emphatic second-half surge proved decisive as they lifted the veterans crown in style.
