ONGC, IOB open semi-final league campaign on winning note

Mumbai: Strong title contenders ONGC Uttarakhand, and Indian Overseas Bank (IOB), Tamil Nadu today scored impressive wins in their respective opening men's semi- final league matches of the UPL ninth Savio Cup All-India Basketball Tournament.

 

Federation Cup champions ONGC, aiming to regain their title after one year, cruised to a comfortable 78-57 victory after leading 46-27 at half-time, against a jaded Services team in the event sponsored by Tridhaatu Realty and Indian Oil and conducted at the Don Bosco High School courts in Matunga.

 

Earlier, in another semi-final league encounter, the Tamil Nadu bank outfit steamrolled past a lacklustre Punjab, wining by a handsome 81-51 margin. IOB were better organised in both attack and defence.

 

They had no problems in finding the hoop regularly to keep the scoreboard ticking and were also alert under the defensive board to prevent the rivals from getting close to the basket. ONGC were far too superior for the Army men as they totally dominated the first three quarters to establish a commanding 21 points lead, which proved sufficient for them to complete the win without much ado.

 

Vishesh Brighuvanshi and Amritpal Singh led the ONGC charge, scoring 21 and 20 points respectively, while seasoned campaigner Sambaji Kadam waged a lone battle for Services and managed to score 11 points.

 

Results: Men's semi-final league: IOB 81 (Amjyot Singh 26, P Venkatesh 24, Praveen Kumar 14) beat Punjab 51 (Palpreet Singh 11) Half-time: 38-27. ONGC 78 (Vishesh B. 21, Amrit Pal Singh 20) beat Services 57 (Sambaji Kadam 11, Ram Gopal 9, S.M. Seethu 9). Half-time: 46-27.