India open with win

NEW DELHI, NOV 5: India played a free-flowing game to thrash Sri Lanka 77-39 in the inaugural Group A match of Asian school basketball tournament at the Talkatora stadium here today. In other action, Philippines beat Malaysia 93-69 in a high scoring group A match.

The Indian boys towered over the Lankans, and led 39-12 at half-time. Relying on the play-making skills of captain Man Singh, the hosts played more of the inside game to outclass their opponents. The only method to the freelance8217; basketball of Indians was their zonal defence, in contrast to the man-to-man marking by the Lankans.

The Lankans started confidently, going neck to neck in the initial minutes at 6-8, but the Indians soon got into a rhythm to take a 27-point lead 39-12 at the interval.