Defending champions Punjab opened theircampaign in the 7th All-India Savio Cup with a resounding 108-71 win over Maharashtra in a rather one-sided affair at the basketball courts of Don Bosco, Matunga, on Sunday. The state’s women’s team too got off to a poor start as they lost 63-71 to Chhattisgarh.
Punjab, who are also the national champions, brooked no answers from Maharashtra as they showed their dominance from the opening quarter. They led 23-11 after the first ten-minute period. Punjab dominated the boards so well that they out-rebounded Maharashtra 35-20 on defensive boards. That was perhaps the difference as Punjab played their percentage play rather easily. Gurkripal Singh and Amritpal Singh were more than handy. Their dominance in the key was overwhelming. Their offensive rebounds with jams could not be countered.
Then there was forward Jagdeep, who played a secondary role allowing youngster Amritpal and Gurkripal to take the centrestage. Amritpal had a game high of 23 points with six rebounds while Gurkripal scored 19 and six rebounds. Amjot Singh had 17 points and six rebounds while Jagdeep had 11 points, 7 assists and 8 rebounds.
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