Kathmandu, January 27:

Bipendra Maharjan powered Golden Gate Club to victory over Trinity and defend the men’s title while Prime Sports Club downed three-time defending champions Rato Bangala School to claim the women’s trophy here at the Trinity National Basketball Championship today.

Golden Gate beat Trinity 75-57 while Prime overcame Rato Bangala 63-38 in the

final marred by on-field brawl between the players. Golden Gate and national team skipper Bipendra and Deepika Upretti of Prime were declared the most valuable players (MVP) of the tournament. Both Bipendra and Deepika received Rs 25,000 each. Times Club and

Naag Sports Club won the fair play awards in men’s and women’s section respectively.

In the men’s final, Golden Gate were in complete control in the first quarter scoring a massive 21 against just five of their opponents. The opening quarter eventually turned out to be the deciding factor. Both the teams went close in terms of scoring in the remaining quarters. The defending champions added 22, 16 and 16 in the next three quarters while Trinity scored 20, 15 and 17 during that period. Bipendra Maharjan was star of the match not only because the skipper contributed 25 points but also because of his ability to control the game.

In the women’s final, Prime Sports scored 15 and 19 giving away 10 and eight in the first two quarters. The match turned ugly when Prime’s Gyanu Gauchan and Rato Bangala’s Dolma Tamang resorted to fighting midway into the match.

The players were suspended and both are likely to face a further two-match ban from Nepal Basketball Association.

Unhappy with the way the referees handled the match, the three-time defending champions Rato Bangala fielded their junior players for some time before switching back to their first choice players. Prime added another 13 and 16 in the last two quarters while Rata Bangala scored nine and 11. Deepika Upretti top scored for Prime with 18 points while Neha Chaudhary contributed 12 for Rato Bangala.