Last night saw the crowning of new champions as the Warriors and Sparks took out the men’s and women’s division respectively at the Easter Basketball Championship at the Vodafone arena.

The two Raiwaqa affiliated teams were sound in defense and instrumental in attack in its wins – giving it bragging rights as the country’s two best basketball clubs.

Warriors were too classy and upfront in attack to defeat the much favorite Barbarians in the final 47-29 who had the likes of Sikeli Mara, Laisiasa Puamua and Randall Kamea at there disposal.

However, the Barbarians seemed like it were short in intensity given its semi-final hustling win 43-41 over last year’s men’s champions Saints who had national reps Jese Sikivou and last year’s Most Valuable Player Adrian Bossely leading the charge.

The Warriors on route to winning the final defeated the Namadi based Idaman in the semis in what looked like a final – grinding it out in the nail biter 41-40.

In the women’s division Sparks defeated Police 41-36 in one semi-final game while last year’s women’s champion Wed C fought tooth and nail over a respected 45-39 victory over Golden Bati in the second semi final.

The women’s final however was a different story as the Sparks brought its A game to the court and resoundly overcame a determined Wed C outfit 39-29 who had been winning the women’s division the past few years.

Basketball Fiji development officer Laisiasa Puamau said the end results were a good indicator of how the other teams were able to breach the gap between them and last year’s two winners.

“It’s great for these new crowned champions as it’s an indicator of the level they are at with the two top teams.”

“The level of playing has greatly improved and last night’s results showed that – so there is competition out there,” he said.

Meanwhile the Fiji Basketball awards last night after the finals at the Royal Suva Yacht club saw the Warriors walk away with $1,000 and Sparks with $800.

The two losing finalists Barbarians and Wed C were given $500 and $400 respectively.

The two losing semi-finalists for the men’s Saints and Idaman and Police and Golden Bati for the women’s received $200 each.

Amalini of Sparks took out the MVP and Best Woman award whilst Josh Motofaga of Warriors took out the Best Male.

Best Dresses Team Award went to Police and Namoli.

Results:

Semi-finals (Men’s) – Warriors 41 Idaman 40, Barbarians 43 Saints 41
Semi-finals (Women’s) – Wed C 45 Golden Bati 39, Sparks 41 Police 36
Finals (Men’s) – Warriors 47 Barbarians 29
Finals (Women’s) – Sparks 39 Wed C 29