VPG makes it to quarters of SVK Memorial Basketball tournament

Victory Play Ground (VPG) entered the quarterfinals defeating Air Force Academy 93-73

Hyderabad: Victory Play Ground (VPG) entered into the quarterfinals after defeating Air Force Academy 93-73 at the 4th Samuel Vasanth Kumar Memorial Basketball Tournament held at the YMCA Secunderabad on Thursday.

Meanwhile, raiding on Harsha’s 23 and Samuel Gali’s 17 YMCA Secunderabad thrashed NPA Shivrampally 69-44 to make it to the last four. In the women’s category N8 prevailed over St Pious in a closely contested game, the score being 56-48 in favour of N8.

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Air Force Academy ran close to Victory Playground in the first quarter before Vamshi using his height and reach took the game away from the losers as his side VPG led 49-39 at the breather.

Vamshi was excellent in garnering the offensive rebounds and also chancing his arm from long range converted a couple of three pointers as VPG took command of the game only midway through the final quarter as the inexperienced AFA players succumbed to the experience and teamwork of the winner. Shiva, Amruthraj, Ganesh Patil, Shaik Bajid Basha along with ball handlers Salla Prasad and Naveen Kumar impressed and it was their defence which put paid to the pretensions of the loser who were well served by Shubham Rishi, Chandan and Harsh Rajan. VPG emerged winners at 93-73.

Secunderabad YMCA playing on their home ground also faced resistance in the first quarter but with Harsha and Gali Samuel chipping in with baskets at regular intervals, YMCA put out NPA Shivrampally 69-44 after leading 44-32 at halftime. For the loser, Sudarshan, Rahul and Bharat played well.

Telangana State player Mounika Goud was all over the N8 defence as she broke through the rival defence time and again to emerge as the top scorer with 28 points. Mrunalini Reddy chipped in with 12 with Mounika and Mrunalini getting admirable support from Samhitha and Manisha. The winners enjoyed better height advantage with Nidhi Mundra and Ojasvi doing a good job in the restricted area while the seasoned campaigner Rachana led her side from the front and with percentage basketting from Khushboo, Amreen and Hiba, N 8 though faced a threat midway recovered to emerge deserving winners.

Results: YMCA Secunderabad 69 (Harsha 23, Samuel Gali 17, Rohan 10, Vamshi 10) bt NPA Shivrampally 44 (Sudarshan 16, Rahul 9, Bharat 6); Victory Play Ground 93 (Shiva 19, Ganesh Patil 18, Amruth Raj 17) bt Air Force Academy 73 (Shubham Rishi 34, Chandan 17, Harsh Rajan 10); Women: N8 56 (Khushboo 8, Hiba 7, Rachana 22, Ojasvi 7) bt St Pious 48 (Mounika 28, Mrunalini 12).