Both share a record of not losing a single game in the tournament

Basketball: Team Pamos humbled Mystiques 70-23 in women’s category and Jachungs defeated Pazaps 69-59 in the men’s category to win the 2015 Coronation Cup basketball championship in Thimphu yesterday.

The first game of the championship saw Pamos take the lead from the beginning of the game doubling their lead in each quarter.   

Pamos were undefeated during the whole tournament with six wins from six. Their victory during the championship games yesterday at the semi-indoor basketball court in Thimphu primary school made them the title holders of the trophy three times in a row, completing their hat-trick in the series.

Playing without any extra players, Pamos had no substitutions throughout the tournament. Yiwang Pindarica, a team member of Pamos said that there was no need of any extra players since the team was in their top form. “We’ve been playing with each other for nine years now. We know each other well to defend against any sort of opponents,” she said.

Yiwang said that although the other teams were strong, Pamos were the better team on the court this time. “We always play together and practice unlike most of the other teams who just come together before a tournament. We’ve developed a strong bond amongst ourselves,” she said.

This year the tournament saw only three women’s team. Yiwang said that their successful record in the game should encourage more women to take part in the sport. “Hope our victories inspire other women to play this beautiful game,” she said.

In the second finals, Jachungs with their fast game overwhelmed Pazaps who was playing without their key player, His Royal Highness Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. However, the game was a close call when Pazaps brought the deficit to five points in final minutes of the second quarter.

Jachungs missed most of their shots giving Pazaps an opportunity to tie-up the score. However, Pazaps could not penetrate through the strong Jachungs’ defense.

Rinzy Wangchuk of team Jachungs said the team was confident of wining. “Although the game today was not easy, it was not as difficult as the one against Phojas in the semis,” he said.

Like Pamos, team Jachungs was also undefeated throughout the tournament.  “The tournament is getting tougher each year. Young and talented players are coming into the tournament which is making each game difficult but also more exciting,” Rinzy said.

Kuenzang Dema from team Pamos was declared the most valuable player (MVP) of the tournament. Kuenzang netted a total of 32 points in the final game yesterday. In the men’s category, Galden Chophel of team Pazaps was given the MVP trophy.

The winners of the tournament Pamos and Jachungs took away the Winning trophy along with individual trophies and a cash prize worth Nu 30,000 each. The runners up were also given the individual trophies, runners up trophy and cash prize of Nu 20,000 each.

A total of 20 teams took part in this year’s Coronation Cup.

By Younten Tshedup

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