Kathmandu, September 28:

Golden Gate International College clinched a thrilling 58-53 victory over defending champions Rhododendron International Boarding School (RIBS) in the men’s final at the Samsung National Basketball Championship. The women’s section title went to Rato Bangala School, who beat Prime Sports Club 52-23.

Golden Gate, who made a slow start scoring just 10 points to that of 15 of RIBS, took lead midway through the second quarter and never trailed.

Golden Gate scored 26, 16 and five, while RIBS had four, 22 and 12 in the last three quarters. Paresh Shrestha scored 15 for Golden Gate, while RIBS skipper Rupak Gurung had 14 points in his last match. Gurung is leaving for Australia for further studies next Friday.

In women’s section final, Rato Bangala took an 18-point lead in the first quarter and extended that to 33 in the second. Prime managed to open the basket in the second half only. Kriti Rajbhandari of Rato Bangala scored 28 points.

The Most Valuable Players Robin Khatri of RIBS and Neha Chaudhary of Rato Bangala earned Rs 25,000 each, while the highest scorers Bipendra Maharjan and Kriti Rajbhandari received Samsung mobile set apiece.