India demolished Nepal 90-44 to win their fifth South Asian Basketball Association (SABA) Championship in Maldives on Wednesday. With the win, India has qualified for the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup in Lebanon from August 8 to 20, and the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
India beat Nepal in the fourth and final round robin encounter of as they opened a 19-point lead in the first quarter itself.
India’s Vishesh Bhriguvanshi continued his amazing run in the tournament as he netted 22 points. Shooting guard Anil Kumar BK also chipped in with 16 points as he came off the bench. India held a 45-12 halftime lead.
The second half of the match saw Jeevanatham Pandi, Muin Bek and Vishal Kumar Gupta also getting on court as Nepal were hapless. Pandi scored 12 points as he ran riot in the fourth quarter to ensure an easy win in the end. For Nepal, Ashim Shrestha was the leading scorer with nine points.
Bhriguvanshi was declared player of the match. Amritpal Singh was named MVP of the championship.