Stallions are ultimate champ of Open Basketball tournament

Kohima, May 12 (EMN): Stallions lifted the trophy of the 10th Open Basketball Tournament (OBT) with a 72-54 convincing victory over The Mystic Ballers (TMB) in the final match at Khuociezie local ground in Kohima on Saturday.

The six-day tournament was organized by the Nagaland Basketball Association and Suncity Kohima.

In a highly anticipated showdown, the unbeatable Stallions from Kohima downed TMB by 18 points to lift the championship trophy.  Seyievizo Kire from Stallions was declared the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

Champions Stallions walked away richer with a cash prize of Rs 60,000 /- along with trophies and citations while runner up The Mystic Ballers (TMB) had to be content with a cash award of  Rs 30,000 /-  and trophies and citations.  Both the semi- finalists Taurus and Cretan Bulls received Rs 10,000 each while MVP of the tournament also pocketed Rs 10,000/- along with a citation.

Remaining undefeated and consistent throughout the tournament,  Stallions looked solid in both the first and second half, scoring points over TMB as the later kept trailing behind. Playing the first half, the new champions took lead in the first quarter with the score 21 – 13 and in the second quarter with 38 – 25 points respectively.

Stallions continued to dominate the game in the second half as they notched up a 52-39 over the TMB. As the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read 72-54 in favour of Stallions becoming the new champions of OBT.

On the way to the final, Stallions team remained undefeated as they narrowly edged passed Cretan Bulls by 3 points with 73-70 in their closely contested 2nd semi-final encounter.  While Team Mystic Ballers (TMB) stunned defending champions Taurus 72-65 in the first semi-final match and entered into the match.

Two special exhibition matches as part of special features of 10th OBT on the closing day was played. Grizzly sub-juniors defeated Black Knights sub-juniors 40-39 with the point of 1 difference while  Suncity Juniors beat Suncity Seniors by 31 – 28 points.

Various performance from various entertainment artists such as Moko Koza, Table 3, HOP dancers, Tribal Cult etc., were some of the highlights of the entertainment segment of the closing ceremony.

Issac Kario, former Flight Attendant Fitness and NMA Practioner and winner of Super Fight League 2012 attended on closing day as special guest.

The closing function was graced by Brig.Sandeep S.Sharda, DIG, 5 Sector Assam Rifles graced the final match as guest of honour and gave away prizes to the winners.