AIS beat Royal College to emerge All-Island Champions

‘A’ Division Under 19 Basketball Finals

Asian International School defeated Royal College Colombo 69-62, in a closely contested final played at the Asian International School courts recently, to emerge All Island ‘A’ Division Champions. 

AIS are also the reigning champions in the Western Province National Schools Basketball Championship.

At halftime the AIS boys looked very comfortable, leading the Royalists by 16 points (32-16) but the Royalists came out fighting in the third quarter to reduce the gap to just three points at one stage.

The boys from AIS came up with some spectacular game play in the final quarter, led by Taher Akbarally (21), Bevan Samuels (16) and Hasitha Perera (12) to swing the game in their favour. For the Royalists, Rukshan Atapattu (17) and Visal Pinto (13) were the main scorers. 

Taher Akbarally of AIS was adjudged the Most Valuable Player while Hasitha Perera, also of AIS, and Visal Pinto of Royal College were adjudged Best Defensive Player and Best Offensive Player respectively.

The AIS team beat Lyceum Panadura, CIS Kandy, Maris Stella Negombo and S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia to secure a berth in the finals.

The consolation final was also played at the same venue and saw St. Joseph’s College, Colombo beat S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia 51-41 to take the second runner-up spot. Nathosh Wijendra and Bhanuka Gamage top-scored for the Joes while Mathew Senn top-scored for the Thomians.