Gilas takes on tough India in first Asiad assignment

INCHEON, South Korea – Gilas Pilipinas will face the same India team that gave them some problems in the FIBA Asia Cup when they open their campaign in the 17th Asian Games here.

India blasted Kazakhstan, 80-71, on Monday to top Group B in the qualifying phase. India thus joins Gilas and Iran in the next round in Group E.

Gilas will play India Tuesday 1 p.m. (2 p.m. Manila time) in a game that will be aired live on TV5.

India needed a 19-point win to top their group and did just like that against Kazakhstan, which Gilas easily beat in the quarterfinals of last year's FIBA Asia Men's Championship.

The Filipinos barely beat the Indians, 70-66, in the quarterfinals of the FIBA Asia Cup in Wuhan, China earlier this year.

"They effectively used their zone defense vs us the last time played them so we should solve that," Gilas asst. coach Josh Reyes told Philstar.com in a text message.

Josh, son of head coach Chot Reyes, was part of the scouting team that came here ahead of the team's arrival last weekend. 

"India is a very good team. Their strength is defense," the younger Reyes said.

"They're very tall and have athletic bigs. They can rotate outside and still shut down interior," he added.

Gilas will need to contain Vishesh Bhrigivanshi, who scored 16 points against Kazakhstan.

"Offensively #9 (Bhrigivanshi) is their x-factor He's very skilled and versatile wingman," Reyes said.

Singh Amjyot is the other player Reyes singled out that they should also look out for.

"#13 plays like KG Canaleta but stands around 6-10 and a very good shot blocker," Reyes added.

Amjyot, who is also a dead ringer for Canaleta, had six points and six shot blocks against Kazakhstan.