Kathmandu, September 9

India claimed the title of the U-16 SABA Basketball Championship here at National Sports Council covered hall today.

India thrashed Bhutan 131-50 in the last league round match to win the title. India, who remained unbeaten in all four matches, accumulated eight points. India also qualified for the fifth Asian U-16 Men’s Basketball Championship to be held in Malaysia in October.

India took the first quarter 40-7 before Bhutan bounced back in the second period to win it 21-20.

However, India claimed the third quarter 41-10 and took the final one 30-12 to maintain their winning run in the five-team competition. Prince Pal Singh, who top scored with 20 points for India, was adjudged the most valuable player of the tournament.

Bangladesh finished second with seven points, while Nepal came third with six points.

Meanwhile, Nepal defeated Maldives 103-41 to record second victory. Nepal, who beat Bhutan and lost to India and Bangladesh, dominated all four periods and took them 30-10, 31-4, 19-12 and 23-15. Gelchen Sherpa top scored with 25 points for Nepal, while Abhishek Singh added 20 points.

Bhutan (five points) and Maldives (four points) were fourth and fifth respectively.