Picture Courtesy: Bhutan Olympic Committee’s Facebook Page
Team Wizards are the new champions of the 25th Annual Coronation Cup 2019 as they defeated Phojas 80-53 in the finals played yesterday. In the women’s category, team Majas defended their title by overcoming team Taras. 5 women’s team and 28 men’s team took part in the competition this time.
After beating team Vajra and Mystiques in the semi-finals of the Cup, team Majas and Taras successfully advanced to the finals of the competition. The final match was played at the swimming pool indoor basketball court, yesterday.
The defending champions Majas started the game strong by dominating their opponent early. Leading the first two quarters of the game, Majas continued to take control of the game. By the end of the third quarter, Majas lead by a commanding scoreline of 46-24. With not much time left in the game, Taras then made desperate three-point attempts but was not enough to close the gap. By the end of the fourth quarter, Majas won the finals with a scoreline of 53-38.
In the men’s final, Phojas came face to face against team Wizards. From the first quarter of the game, team Wizards pressed their opponent with quick penetrations and successful shots from the three-point line. Wizards led the first half by a seven baskets difference.
Displaying the same performance, Jamyang and Dorji Gyaltshen of Wizards proved too much for their opponent as they further extended their lead. On the other side, Phojas struggled as they missed shots after shot and frequently lost the ball to their tough opponent. By the end of the second quarter, Phojas trailed by 10 baskets.
With none of their strategies working, Phojas opted for the three-point shots but this too failed as they struggled to close in the ten baskets difference. By the end of the third quarter, Phojas were still losing.
Phojas looked completely drained by the start of the 4th quarter as Wizards showed no mercy on their opponents. The match finally ended 80-53 in favour of the Wizards.
With 26 points, 17 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals, Rinchen Dorji of Wizards was named the most valuable player of the finals. Likewise, Euden Tenzing of Majas was named the most valuable player of the women’s final match.
Coronation Cup is the longest-running sports tournament in the country organized by the Basketball Federation of Bhutan every year.
