Chennai: Customs (Chennai) pipped SRM University (Chennai) in the men’s final of the P John Memorial All-India volleyball tournament at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium here on Sunday. In the decider, Customs came up by a scoreline of 19-25, 25-23, 25-22, 21-25, 16-14.
Victor Customs became richer by Rs 1,00,000 while runner-up SRM was given the TMB Trophy and a cash prize of Rs 75,000.
In the final, both teams fought hard and remained very close in the opening set. But SRM kept maintaining a two-point advantage. It then got four consecutive points, which helped it clinch the first set 25-19.
Likewise, the other two sets were also closely fought. But it was Customs which turned up better at crucial junctures to win the second and third set. They, however, failed to close out the contest immediately, losing the fourth set 21-25.
In the decider, Customs edged its rival 16-14. In the third place play-off match, ICF (Chennai) defeated Income Tax (Gujarat).
Results: Men: Final: Customs (Chennai) beat SRM University 19-25, 25-23, 25-22, 21-25, 16-16; Third place match: ICF (Chennai) beat Income Tax (Gujarat) 25-22, 25-21.
Awards: Best men players: N Gokulnath (Customs, Chennai), Erin (ICF, Chennai), Guruprasanth (SRM University, Chennai), Manoj (Income Tax, Gujarat) and Mithum Kumar (Indian Bank, Chennai).