MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Gilas Pilipinas bucked a cold start and
pulled away in the third quarter to hand India a 99-65 beating in the
2015 FIBA Asia Championship on Tuesday, September 29 in Changsha, Hunan,
China.
The Philippine national men's basketball team swept Group E in second
round competition to finish as the top seed with a 4-1 record entering
the quarterfinals. Their match-up is yet to be determined depending on
the remaining games from Group F later in the day.
Gilas defeated JAPAN then took down defending champions Iran before shrugging off a diesel-like start to dispatch the 61st ranked India.
Terrence Romeo unloaded 20 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals
to lead 6 Gilas players in double figures. Andray Blatche posted 15
points and 3 rebounds, while Ranidel De Ocampo added 13 points and 3 rebounds.
Jayson Castro paced the nationals with 12 points, 6 rebounds and 3
assists, and Calvin Abueva chipped in 12 markers, 7 boards and two
steals.
Marc Pingris finally figured in a breakout game with his 12 points, 4
rebounds, an assist and two steals as he led a 23-14 third quarter
surge for the Filipinos, which allowed them a comfortable 65-50 edge
entering the final frame.
Gilas was relaxed and slow in the early goings of the game.
But fears of a monumental meltdown due to complacency from a huge win
over Iran were quelled when De Ocampo took over and buried key baskets,
including another buzzer-beating three-pointer at the half, to wake up
the silver medalists.
India managed to trim the deficit to 8 early in the fourth but Gilas
orchestrated a 5-point swing to regain momentum and the demolition job
was on with 6 minutes left in the game. They outscored India by 34-15 in
the payoff period.
The Philippines manhandled India on both sides of the ball,
registering 15 steals. Gilas won the battle of the boards, 50-38, and
dished out 21 assists. Coach Tab Baldwin's crew also shot 48.2% from the
field while keeping India to just a 36.2% clip.
India was led by guard and team captain Vishesh Bhriguvanshi with 21
points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. Amritpal Singh contributed 18 points,
13 rebounds and two blocks as the Indians slipped to a 2-3 record but
will still move on to the playoffs.
Scores:
Philippines (99): Romeo 20, Blatche 15, De Ocampo 13, Castro 12,
Abueva 12, Pingris 12, Hontiveros 6, Ganuelas 5, Norwood 2, Intal 2,
Taulava 0, Thoss 0.
India (65): Bhriguvanshi 21, Singh A. 18, Singh
Amjyot 11, Singh Yadwinder 7, Pari 5, Shinde 3, Hazra 0, Gill 0, Kaushik
0, Prakash Uppar 0, Vikas Kumar 0, Arumugam 0.
Quarter scores: 16-17, 42-36, 65-50, 99-65.
