In a nail-biting championship finale, Operations HQ secured the inaugural Valiance 3×3 Inter-Station Basketball Competition title with a hard-fought 5-4 victory over Port of Spain Prison on December 5. The thrilling conclusion unfolded at the Youth Transformation and Rehabilitation Centre (YTRC) Gymnasium, showcasing exceptional defensive prowess from both finalists.
Tournament standout Michael Straker earned Most Valuable Player honors after delivering an impressive 24-point performance throughout the competition. The championship game saw Straker account for all five of his team’s points, demonstrating remarkable composure under pressure.
The title match was characterized by strategic, deliberate play with both teams implementing disciplined defensive structures. Scoring opportunities proved scarce throughout the intense matchup, with each possession carrying significant weight. Operations HQ ultimately created a decisive late-game advantage to claim the historic victory.
In the third-place playoff, host team YTRC delivered a resilient performance despite losing a key player to injury. The squad demonstrated exceptional collective effort and late-game composure to edge Garage 10-9 in another tightly contested battle.
The two-day tournament (December 4-5) featured eight teams representing various divisions within the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service. Following group stage matches on the opening day, all teams advanced to the knockout bracket phase.
Assistant Commissioner of Prisons Ricardo Dass praised the event’s success, noting strong participation and engagement levels that met organizational objectives. He indicated the tournament has potential to become an annual fixture, possibly with multiple editions each year to support staff wellness and national qualification ambitions.
Final tournament standings placed Operations HQ first, followed by Port of Spain Prison, Youth Transformation and Rehabilitation Centre, Garage, Administration, Golden Grove Prison, Maximum Security Prison, and Operations.