Basketball: In an intense final game between the top two women’s basketball teams in the country, Majas defeated Aspiring Ashims 54-38 to win the B League title at the Swimming Pool Complex in Thimphu on May 28.

The match started on a highly competitive note. Adapting a firm defensive gameplay, both the teams wanted the same thing, to restrict their opponents from scoring early. The first quarter ended on a tie, both teams making just eight points each.

It was an equally matched game until the mid of the second quarter when Majas overpowered Aspiring Ashims scoring seven straight baskets. From the total 12 shots attempted by Majas, the team made 10 successful baskets. The quarter ended with Majas taking a huge leap of 11 points.

The pressure was now on Aspiring Ashims who comprised of most of the national team players. Most of their attempted shots went off target. With several miss passes, coordination among the players was clearly missing.

Majas went on to take the third quarter 45-24 and finally wrapped up the finals with a difference of 16 points.

Playing her third of the tournament, Majas most valuable player, Lieutenant Kuenzang Dema made 15 points for her team including a three-pointer at the final buzzer.

“I couldn’t contribute much to the team as I missed out several games because of my training,” said the 24-year-old. “However, today we played as a team and our coordination worked very well. It was a team effort and we won as a team today.”

Aspiring Ashims’ captain, Namzay Kumutha said that although her team lost the finals, the team gained a lot of experience from the tournament.

“We have had very good games in the league round and also in the semi-finals but today it just wasn’t our day.” said Namzay Kumutha. “Mid-way the game, we lost our team coordination, that added to our loss today.”

Meanwhile, in the men’s category, team Jumpers defeated team Effects 71-59.

As usual, the men’s game drew maximum spectators at the Swimming Pool Complex. With their quick reflexes and speed, the first quarter went to the crowd favourites, Jumpers.

The second quarter went to Effects when they made 19 points to get back in the game ending just a point below Jumpers. However, Effects couldn’t keep up with the agility of Jumpers and eventually lost by 12 points.

The finalists of the B League, Jumpers and Effects will play in the A League next year. While Crossovers and Takins from the A League have been relegated to the B League.

The winners and runners up of the tournament were awarded with trophies, medals and certificates. The winners were also given a cash prize of Nu 40,000 while the runners up got Nu 30,000 in both the categories.

A total of 28 teams took part in the month-long tournament organised by the Bhutan Basketball Federation.

Younten Tshedup