Dubai: Al Jaleeb Tea City Fives, comprising several experienced players, defeated a young Nucaf All Starz 82-56 in the final of the first Indian Basketball League, sponsored by Dr Sunny Medical Centre.
All Starz started off well and even took an eight-point lead in the first five minutes. The tall and lanky Ajeeth Sugunan went on a scoring spree to tilt the game in favour of City Fives. He was ably supported by Francis and Benjamin.
All Starz also found the City Fives' defence, comprising Kurian Pattam and Jacob Fenn, too hard to penetrate. At the half-time City Fives took a 12-point lead.
While the City Fives managed to increase the lead at regular intervals, the young All Starz players fumbled below the basket. Sugunan, who top-scored with 21 points, bagged the Nike Sun and Sand Sports man of the match award.
Earlier, Hustlers, Dubai clinched the third place beating Zabeel Printers 70-62.
Former UAE captain Ahmad Jasem Al Saidi and Dr Sunny Kurien gave away the prizes.
The Nike Sun and Sand women's team played an exhibition match against Pocari women's team.
Sunil Savio of Hustler and Mohammad Nihal Azad of Nucaf received a television, sponsored by Jumbo Electronics, after being adjudged the player of the tournament and promising player respectively.
The other winners of the awards were: Top-scorer: Shajahan of Zabeel Printing, best post player: Ivan Baretto of Goa Veterans, best three-point shooter and best play maker: Francis Assissi of City Fives.
The first big attempt to promote the sport by the newly-formed Indian Basketball Society thus got off to a great start.
