Team Mystic Ballers are new champions of OBT

Our Correspondent

Kohima, May 19 (EMN): Team Mystic Ballers (TMB) of Jotsoma, in Kohima district are the new champions of the 11th edition of Open Basketball Tournament, after defeating Orca 72-60 in the final match, here at the Kohima local ground on Sun. May 19.

The winner team walked home with a cash award of INR 60000 along with citations, while the second runners-up received INR 30000.

TMB, who lost to Stallions in the final last year, claimed victory this year, after crashing Orca down by 12 points leading. Throughout the match, TMB led in all the quarters with 23-11 in the first, 39-31 in the second, 59-43 in third and 72-60 in the last.

Team Orca managed to make up their points in the first half of final quarter with 52-59 at 7:07,  but TMB bounced back with 70-56 at 2:25 minutes of the last quarter and went on to win the match. Orca also missed quite a number of penalties, while TMB scored maximum of three pointers.

Kevin Tale of Orca was adjudged the Most Valuable Player and received a cash award of INR 10000.

Meanwhile, the semi-finalists’ Stallions and Amplified received INR 10000 each.

Administrator of the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC), Kovi Meyase gave away the prizes to the players.

In his address as guest of honour, the administrator announced that two modern basketball courts will be installed at Old Secretariat as part of the Kohima Smart City.

Speaking about the health benefits of sports, he said, it not only helps us with physical fitness but also with mental and psychological alertness. Further, it helps us to understand and respect each, more importantly as opponents in the game.

To Meyase, sports are a “great equaliser.” There is no black or white, no high or low in sports, as everybody starts on equal terms irrespective of who they are.  Therefore, sports mould us into a better human being.

The Fan of the Tournament was awarded to Elena Yhome.

For the KK Paul Rutsa’s Challenge, Vikekuolie from Last Kings won the first while Saroj Magar from Stallions won the second.

Binod of Road Runners and Mengukhrietuo Kire from Amplified won first and second of the Xavier Rutsa’s 3 Point Challenge respectively.