Sri Lanka came away with another landslide victory on the second day of the first Women’s SABA Championships defeating Bhutan 112-37.
Sri Lankan ladies once again displayed a vastly superior game over their fairly novice opponent; looking even more comfortable than in their opener against Maldives.
Sri Lankan coach once again gave all his players a run in the match to see what they can do; and they didn’t let their him down one bit, bettering their scoring record.
Sri Lanka didn’t have the same size advantage they enjoyed against Maldives, although they were bigger in average; but Bhutan’s lack of quality in the team made it for a light work.
Bhutanese team at times looked like they hadn’t quite gelled in yet. On top of Sri Lanka’s full court pressure play; Bhutan’s inability to read each others game (let alone their opponents) hurt them badly.
Women’s SABA Championships 2016: Sri Lanka cruise to victory
No surprises there as Bhutan women’s national basketball team is probably the youngest in the SAARC region in terms of its inception.
Bhutan coach Sonam Tashi told arko network that the “team was only formed five months ago” and team only “trained for the last three months”.
On the other hand, Sri Lankans have a lot of experience under their belt which includes FIBAtournaments. Some of the senior players have been in the game for around 15 years, according to Sri Lanka head coach T.M. Amath.
Bhutan did have some positives to take from the match, there was definite hunger for the game, at least in some players; they had individual skills and physically they were strong.
Sri Lankan shooter Kumarine Silva once again topped the scoring with 19 points; and that is despite plenty of rest on the bench.
Scary thing for their imminent opponents in the championship is that they had plenty other capable shooters. Premila Fernando, Natasha Perera, Anjalee Ekanayake and Imesha Thathsarani all scored in the double digits and others weren’t far off today.
In the end it was just another day at the office for Sri Lanka; a routine win.
Final score: Bhutan 31-112 Sri Lanka (06-31, 11-28, 12-31, 02-22).
Highest scorer: Kumarine Silva – 19 points.
It is our first international match. So the players were nervous. I thought we played quite good.Bhutan head coach, Sonam Tashi
Bhutan squad: Gawa Seldon, Tashi Euden Wangchuk, Tshering Pem, Dechen Wangmo, Ugyen Wangmo, Sangay Wangmo, Kinley Bidha, Namzay Kumutha, Lhakyi Tenzing, Tashi Lhamo, Kinga Wangmo, Yeshey Om.
Head coach: Sonam Tashi
Asst. coach: Michael Andrew Behnke
Sri Lanka squad: Premila Fernando, Prasadi Fonseka, Natasha Parera, Anjalee Ekanayake, Inoka Sandamali, Sanduni Bollegala, Erandi Rajapakse, Niroshini Paiva, Erandi Gallage, Jayeliya Kumari, Kumarine Silva, Imesha Thathgarani.
Head coach: T. M. Amath
Asst. coach: Anuradha Wijesinghe
Manager: Paul Newmen
