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 `freelance' 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.

Sri Lanka kept pace with the Indians for the first five minutes into second half, but then ran out of steam. India would have won by a bigger margin, but for their flanks, which were rarely used. Narender, though, did manage to score two three-pointers -- both in the first half.

Scores: India 77 (Amit Singh 22, Narender 18, Man Singh 12) bt Sri Lanka 39; Philippines 95 (Ritualo 26, Mesina 16, Espirito 14, Marcos (13) bt Malaysia 69 (Tan Gan Soon 17, Chew in Lai 16, Leaw Lieh Yeh 13).