Yesterday brought the curtain down on what has been a thrilling week of basketball at the Sugathadasa Indoor Sports Complex, and the final day saved the best for last. The Maldives, written off by many after a difficult group stage, dug deep to stun Bangladesh in one of the most tense and dramatic finishes of the entire tournament. Meanwhile, India were in a class of their own, claiming both the men’s and women’s titles in performances that cemented them as the undisputed force in the region and etched their names into the history books of Indian basketball.
3rd Place Play-off – FIBA U18 Asian Championship – SABA Qualifier 2026
Bangladesh vs Maldives
Few would have predicted this outcome just days earlier when Bangladesh had beaten the same Maldivian outfit by forty points. But sport has a way of rewriting the script and the Maldives came into this third place play off with a point to prove.
From the opening whistle, Maldives came out with fight and purpose, taking the game to Bangladesh and building an eight point lead by the end of the first quarter. Bangladesh, the heavy favourites, looked unsettled and unable to find their usual rhythm.
The second quarter was tense, with the lead swinging between the two sides before Bangladesh edged ahead by four points at the break. It looked as though Bangladesh were beginning to find their feet, but the Maldives refused to go away.
The third quarter followed a similar pattern. Bangladesh threatened to pull clear on a couple of occasions, but the Maldives showed remarkable resilience, clawing back each time, and keeping the deficit to just four points. However, the quarter ended on a dramatic note as Bangladesh captain Karim was ejected from the game for a serious foul, a moment that would prove decisive in what was to follow.
The fourth quarter was as tense as it gets. With their captain gone, the tide turned firmly against Bangladesh and the Maldives seized the moment. It was not without its own drama though as Maldives player Ahamed Jameel fouled out having used up all his fouls and was unable to continue, letting his side down at a crucial stage. But the Maldives dug deep and Ismail Zui Zilaal stood tall, keeping his composure when it mattered most as the Maldives held their nerve to win by three points in a memorable upset.
- 1st Quarter – BAN 12 – 20 MDV
- 2nd Quarter – BAN 33 (21) – 29 (9) MDV
- 3rd Quarter – BAN 49 (16) – 45 (16) MDV
- 4th Quarter – BAN 59 (10) – 62 (17) MDV
Final Score – Bangladesh 59 – 62 Maldives
Yusuf Shiham was the Player of the Match, having set the tone in the first quarter and delivering a composed 19-point, 5-rebound performance when the pressure was at its highest. The Maldives finish the tournament in third place with plenty to be proud of, while Bangladesh, having beaten this same side by forty points earlier in the week, will reflect on a difficult final day and look to learn from it.
Final – FIBA U18 Women’s Asian Championship – SABA Qualifier 2026
Sri Lanka vs India
The women’s final delivered a contest full of heart, with Sri Lanka giving everything they had, but India proved too strong, claiming the title in a commanding performance.
Sri Lanka came out with great defensive intent in the first quarter, matching India step for step and taking a four point lead into the first break. It was an encouraging start for the hosts and had the home crowd believing. However, India shifted gears emphatically in the second quarter, outscoring Sri Lanka by 22 points in the period alone. Captain Viha Jonnalagadda and Mahek Sharma led the charge, causing problems at both ends of the floor that Sri Lanka simply had no answer to. It was a display that underlined just how potent this Indian side can be when they find their rhythm.
India extended their lead further in the third quarter, stretching to a 21-point advantage as Sri Lanka struggled to close down India’s passing channels or find any defensive shape. It was a mounting challenge for the home side and one that was becoming increasingly difficult to overcome.
To their credit, Sri Lanka never stopped fighting. Captain Binuthi Jayasinghe was outstanding throughout, finishing with 28 points and 7 rebounds in a performance that deserved to be on the winning side but even her best was not enough to hold back the Indians. The battle between the two captains was a subplot worth noting where Jayasinghe finished with 28 points against Jonnalagadda’s 25, both leading their sides with everything they had.
The final quarter was a formality, with India maintaining their lead and closing out the game with ease. A couple of back-to-back three pointers from Sri Lanka briefly lifted the crowd and showed the never say die attitude of this Sri Lankan side, but India’s grip on the game never loosened and they saw it through comfortably.
- 1st Quarter – SL 20 – 16 IND
- 2nd Quarter – SL 32 (12) – 46 (30) IND
- 3rd Quarter – SL 42 (10) – 63 (17) IND
- 4th Quarter – SL 57 (15) – 83 (20) IND
Final Score – Sri Lanka 57 – 83 India
Viha Jonnalagadda was without a doubt the Player of the Match, delivering a performance full of leadership and skill with 25 points and 11 rebounds to guide India to the title.
In a first for the tournament, an All Star Five was announced to honour the standout performers throughout the competition. Binuthi Jayasinghe was a warrior for Sri Lanka from start to finish, while her teammate Aleena Hayaz was a constant presence and threat throughout the competition. For India, Mahek Sharma’s combination of scoring and rebounding made her virtually unplayable on her day, while Viha Jonnalagadda’s all-round brilliance spoke for itself. Lyran Ahamed of the Maldives rounded off the five, her performances a bright spot in what was a tough tournament for her side.
Jonnalagadda was also named the Most Valuable Player of the women’s tournament, and it is hard to argue otherwise. She was the heartbeat of this Indian side throughout, combining clinical scoring with dominant rebounding and the kind of leadership that lifted everyone around her.
Final – FIBA U18 Asian Championship – SABA Qualifier 2026
Sri Lanka vs India
The rematch everyone had been waiting for since the last battle two days ago, and India made their intentions clear from the very first minute. Racing to a 16-point lead by the end of the first quarter, they put Sri Lanka on the back foot immediately and the hosts were always playing catch up from there.
Sri Lanka found some momentum in the second quarter and showed glimpses of the quality that had carried them through the tournament. But India’s defence was suffocating. Aaron Gerald, Sri Lanka’s most dangerous player, was heavily marked and starved of the ball for long periods, and without him in full flow, Sri Lanka struggled to create. Joypreet Singh and Mishra Abhyupang were outstanding at the defensive end, cutting off rebounds and second chance opportunities, while captain Piyush Choudhary was a constant driving force going forward. It was a disciplined and well-structured performance that highlighted India’s quality as a collective unit rather than just a group of individuals.
By the third quarter India were firmly in control, and it was difficult to see a way back for Sri Lanka. The task of overturning such a deficit while also keeping India quiet proved too great. Shekar Rathee was a standout performer throughout, his defensive display being a key factor in breaking down Sri Lanka’s attack, while Arman contributed 22 points and 9 rebounds to give India a balance that Sri Lanka could not match. For Sri Lanka, Captain Sudam Liyanage had more rebounds than points with 16 rebounds and 11 points, and Vijan Vidanalage showed great spark in the last quarter and ended the match with 15 points.
Sri Lanka battled to the end, but it was a mountain too high to climb, which was evident from the first minute as India closed out a comprehensive victory and were crowned champions.
- 1st Quarter – SL 04 – 20 IND
- 2nd Quarter – SL 22 (18) – 42 (22) IND
- 3rd Quarter – SL 38 (16) – 57 (15) IND
- 4th Quarter – SL 56 (18) – 78 (21) IND
Final Score – Sri Lanka 56 – 78 India
Piyush Choudhary claimed a well-deserved Player of the Match award, finishing with 26 points and 7 rebounds in a captain’s performance that summed up India’s dominance throughout.
The first ever men’s All-Star Five was also announced, and it was a list that reflected the finest individual performances of the tournament. Aaron Gerald was electrifying for Sri Lanka throughout, while captain Sudam Liyanage led his side with composure and class. For India, Arman’s combination of power and precision made him a constant handful, and Piyush Choudhary’s leadership and consistency across every match set him apart. Ismail Zui Zilaal of the Maldives completed the five, his performances in the third place play off and the group stages thoroughly deserved a place among the tournament’s best.
Shekar Rathee was named the Most Valuable Player of the men’s tournament. It was recognition that went beyond the scoresheet. While others grabbed the headlines with points, Rathee’s ability to read the game, disrupt opposition attacks and deliver in the biggest moments made him the defining player of this tournament.
India swept both titles in the men’s and women’s segments and leave Colombo with a statement of intent from a generation of players that looks destined for great things.
