Defending Champions Sri Lanka Air Force posted a 75-67 victory over Sri Lanka Army in the opening match of the Defence Services Basketball Championship that got underway at the Police Park Grounds yesterday.

At half-time, Air Force were ahead 34-30 and went onto win the curtain-raiser of the competition.

Antony Benito and Ravi Dodangoda top scored with 21 and 17 points respectfully for Air Froce while Gayan Buddhika was the top scorer for SL Army.

Three teams from defence services - SL Army, SL Navy and SL Air Force are competing in the tournament.

There will be three matches in the first round where each team will play

their opponents once and the top two teams will qualify for the finals.

Two more matches of the tournament will be worked off on Monday followed by the final on Tuesday at.500p.m. at Police Park.