Royal cagers reclaim D.S. Senanayake Challenge Cup after three years
View(s):Royal College produced a spirited display to outshoot their arch rivals S. Thomas’ College 62-57 and lifted the D.S. Senanayake Challenge Cup in their 20th annual Royal-Thomian Basketball encounter, played at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo. This victory ended a three-year drought for the Reid Avenue cagers, who finally put the coveted silverware back in their trophy cabinet.
Royal, under skipper Tharuka Jayasundara and vice captain Minutha Delungahawatta, kept their cool in a high octane game that swung like a pendulum. They grabbed key rebounds, made fast breaks count, and never let the Thomians slam the door shut. The Royalists showed depth in their bench strength, with Sahan Agalawatta, Minuka Gamaathige, Lakvidu Nimhan, Mayureshan Ganesharaja, Thevindu Rathnayake, Rusiru Irugalbandara, Kalsara Kulathunga, Ashel Ambawatta, Nikhail de Silva, Aemika Waththuhewa, Geeneth Wickramasinghe, Acsajan Mohanathan, Raashid Rameez and Seneshka Fernando all putting their hands up at crucial moments.
The jubilant Royal College basketball team celebrates with the D.S. Senanayake Challenge Cup after defeating S. Thomas’ College
Behind the scenes, the trio of coaches Prasanna Jayasinghe, Vijaya Basker, and Seelaka Fernando, together with teacher-in-charge Chamila Basnayake, drew up the winning game plan. Their careful preparation and tactical time outs proved vital in this crunch clash. As the nets came down and celebrations filled the arena, Royal announced Lakvindu Nimhan as captain for next year, with Thevindu Rathnayake and Mayureshan Ganesharaja as vice captains.