Bengaluru: In something straight out of a basketball fairy tale, a Shireen Limaye jump shot in the dying seconds of the fourth quarter cemented one of India’s finest wins, as they came from behind to edge out a Kazakhstan 75-73 in the Division B final of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup at the Kanteerava Indoor Stadium on Saturday.
The Zoran Visic-coached side will make its return to the upper echelons of Asian basketball, returning to Division A in the 2019 edition for the first time since 2015.
India overcame Lebanon in the semi-finals to face a physically fearsome Kazakh team who, just like India, hadn’t lost a game in the run-up to the final.
Getting off the blocks in a hurry, Kazakhstan edged out the first quarter 19-16. Nadezhda Kondrakova was the focal point of Kazakh attacks, using power and precision to dominate the box. PYC Hindu Gymkhana (Pune) forward Limaye (17 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists) was the countering force for India, as was Jeena Skaria (20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists) – peeling away from markers to score or assist points.
Kazakhstan’s alertness on rebounds was apparent as they raced to an eight-point lead in the second quarter (39-31).
Forward Grima Varghese kept India in touch with some splendid points.
India flirted with danger after racking up five team fouls in the third quarter (58-50).
A fervent fourth quarter began, and India needed to convert their shots to stand a chance. Skipper Anitha Paul Durai made it 59-53 with her only three-pointer of the match.
The Indian eves defended doggedly but conceded free throws. The partisan crowd played its role, jeering Kurasova, who missed both throws.
A nine-point flurry put India back in the contest at 58-56, keeping the tie on a knife edge. With composure being the need of the hour, Kondrakova and Ossipenko teamed to make it 71-66. India’s riposte — a nifty jump-shot from Limaye, and a Skaria lay-up before netting the subsequent free throw to pull level.
Finally, with three seconds left, Limaye nailed a jump shot worthy of winning any match to send the stadium into raptures.
“I’m speechless. Everyone is saying God’s hand is on my head. I’ve been dreaming about this, and doing it in front of home (crowd) is amazing,” said Limaye.
Japan do the treble
A spectacular double-double from Australian forward and MVP of the tournament Kelsey Griffin (30 points, 15 rebounds) wasn’t enough to quell the Land of the Rising Sun, as shooting guard Saki Mizushima (26 points) helped Japan to a 74-73 win in the Division A final.
Things looked to be going swimmingly for the Opals, gunning to become the first Oceania side to lift the trophy, at the end of the second quarter (39-33). A third quarter collapse from the Aussies saw Japan turn the tie on its head at 59-53 in the third. The Opals fought back, but left it too late, as Mizushima connected her seventh three-pointer in the final minute to seal a third consecutive title for the Akatsuki Five.
