SUBL Season 2 Finale: Ring Capitals (W) and Skyliners (M) Crowned Champions
The second season of the Surat Ultimate Basketball League (SUBL) concluded with thrilling matches at the iconic Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Indoor Stadium.
The second season of the Surat Ultimate Basketball League (SUBL) concluded with thrilling matches at the iconic Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Indoor Stadium. Ring Capitals emerged victorious in the women's division, while Skyliners claimed the men's title in front of an electrified crowd.
Men's Division:
Men's Final: Skyliners vs. Alpha Warriors
The championship game featured the tournament's two undefeated teams in a highly anticipated showdown. Skyliners' Yash Rathod set the tone early, scoring 13 points in the first quarter alone. Alpha Warriors struggled to match this intensity, shooting a mere 33% from the field in the opening period.
Skyliners maintained their dominance throughout the game, particularly in the third quarter – traditionally Alpha Warriors' strongest. Neeraj Sharma dazzled for Skyliners with 22 points, showcasing exceptional ball-handling and court vision. The "Knockdown Bros" duo of Yash Rathod and Bhavik Gandhi combined for an impressive 38 points, leading Skyliners to a convincing 77-point performance and the championship title.
Tournament MVP Yash Rathod's victory was especially sweet, marking a triumphant return after suffering an MCL injury in last year's tournament. On the other side, Manish Sharma of Alpha Warriors faced heartbreak in the finals for the second consecutive year, having lost with Heat Hoopers in the previous season.
Semifinals:
1. Skyliners Soar Past Heat Hoopers
Skyliners showcased their prowess with a commanding 63-32 win over Heat Hoopers. The victors' balanced mix of experience and youth proved too much for their opponents, who failed to replicate their previous strong showing against Alpha Warriors. Yash Rathod was the standout performer, setting a tournament record with 29 points.
2. Alpha Warriors Edge Out Lion Stars
The second semifinal lived up to its billing as a nail-biter. Alpha Warriors, known for their explosive starts, found themselves in a tightly contested match against the resilient Lion Stars. The game remained close throughout, with Lion Stars preventing the Warriors from building a substantial lead. A dramatic fourth quarter saw the Stars mount a 10-0 run, tying the game with five minutes remaining. However, clutch performances from Summet and Sanjay Singh propelled Alpha Warriors to a narrow 70-65 victory.
Quarterfinals: Lion Stars Roar Past Dominators
The day kicked off with a crucial quarterfinal match between Lion Stars and Dominators. Lion Stars' Madvendra S. put on a stellar performance, scoring 16 points with 50% shooting efficiency. The Dominators faced early setbacks as their icon player found himself in foul trouble and struggled offensively. His frustration culminated in a technical foul, leading to his ejection. Lion Stars capitalized on this advantage, securing a dominant 68-42 victory and advancing to the semifinals.
Women's Division:
The women's competition came down to a thrilling double-header between Sky Hoopers and Ring Capitals. With a three-way tie at the top of the standings, these matches would determine both finalists and the ultimate champion.
Game 1: Sky Hoopers Edge Ring Capitals
The first encounter was a see-saw battle, with each team dominating different quarters. Ring Capitals surged in the second quarter with a 16-5 run, only for Sky Hoopers to answer back with a 14-6 third quarter. Tied at 31-31 entering the fourth, Sky Hoopers found another gear. Icon player Hemangnee Gamit led the charge with 9 points in the final frame, while Vaibhavi Kacchi contributed 8 crucial points. Despite a brief injury scare to Sakshi Sabalpara, Ring Capitals fought valiantly but ultimately fell short.
Game 2 / Championship: Ring Capitals Claim the Crown
Ring Capitals made key adjustments for the rematch, racing out to a 17-7 first-quarter lead. Sky Hoopers responded forcefully with a 21-point second quarter, led by Gamit's efficient shooting. However, Gamit's hot hand cooled in the fourth quarter, opening the door for Ring Capitals' icon player Sakshi Sabalpara. Sabalpara's 8 points in the final period proved decisive, as Ring Capitals held on for a nail-biting 55-53 victory to secure the championship.
The SUBL Season 2 finale showcased the best of Surat's basketball talent, with both men's and women's divisions providing intense competition and memorable performances. As the dust settles, Ring Capitals and Skyliners stand tall as worthy champions, setting the stage for what promises to be an even more exciting Season 3.
Results:
Men's Division
Final: Skyliners 77-53 Alpha Warriors
Semi Final-1: Alpha Warriors 70-65 Lion Stars
Semi-final-2: Skyliners 63-32 Heat Hoopers
Quarterfinal: Lion Stars 68-42 Dominators
Women's Division
Final: Ring Capitals 55-53 Sky Hoopers
Sky Hoopers 48-34 Ring Capitals
MVP Honors
Tournament MVPs
Men - Yash Rathod
Women - Sakshi Sabalpara
Game MVPs Men's Division
Madvendra S. (Lion Stars vs Dominators)
Krish Gadara (Alpha Warriors vs Lion Stars)
Yash Rathod (Skyliners vs Heat Hoopers)
Neeraj Sharma (Alpha Warriors vs Skyliners)
Game MVPs Women's Division
Hemangnee Gamit (Sky Hoopers vs Ring Capitals)
Saisha Kachru (Sky Hoopers vs Ring Capitals)
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