Gilas Phl coasts past tired India, makes q’finals

INCHEON, South Korea – Gilas Pilipinas operated efficiently on both sides of the court and pulled off a clinical 85-76 victory over an exhausted Indian team to assure itself of a place in the quarterfinals of the Asian Games basketball competitions yesterday.

An unanswered string of 16 points in the first eight minutes of play was all the Nationals needed to shrug off rallying attempts by the Indians who came into the game visibly spent after three straight days of physical basketball in the first round of eliminations.

“I commend India for the game. India is an emerging threat in Asia with its tall, long and young players, but it’s tough for them to be playing four games in a row,” said Gilas head coach Chot Reyes of the Indians who, along with seven others, figured in a round robin in two groups in the first round to determine the top two to join the eight seeded teams in the second round.

“This is a call to organizers (who are courting disaster) asking players to play three games in a row – it’s inhuman,” he added.

One of India’s top men – Pratham Singh – collapsed on the floor after a slip in the last 22 seconds of play and was brought to the hospital after the game, after he barely regained consciousness.

The score did not truly reflect the complexion of the game which the Filipinos controlled with amazing ease before over a thousand cheering Filipinos. They put the game out of harm’s way with steady shooting by 12 Filipino players and a combination of one-on-one defense on India’s top scorers Amritpal Singh (16 pts) Amjyot Sing Joginder Singh (13) and Briguvanshi Vishesh (13) and a full court offense at certain stages of the game to break the Indians’ offensive momentum.

“We’re glad we advanced to the (second) round,” said India’s American coach Scott William Flemming. Playing here, we knew how they (Smart Gilas) played but unfortunately, they were in control. If we got a better start, we would have got a chance (to win).”

“They had quickness, very good at three-point shots, and are kicking out to open people. They hurt us on the offensive board.”

“They ‘re a tough offensive team, and they can get good shots front the bench and they also have a good sixth man, the Filipino crowd,” he added.

Naturalized player Marcus Douthit, coming in for Andray Blatche, topscored with 14 points, highlighted by a slam dunk off a beautiful blind pass by Jimmy Alapag to give the Philippines its biggest lead at 84-65, with 5:01 left in the game.

LA Tenorio fired the first two triples in a 16-0 explosion as the Filipinos established control while Gary David had two triples for second best 13 points. He, Jeff Chan (14 pts) and Gabe Norwood (14) contributed the breakaway points whenever the Indians threatened to cut the deficit to less than 15 points. 

Big man JunMar Fajardo cashed in on his size advantage underneath for 12 points, while Japeth Aguilar, who was rested most of the first half after he bungled passes and undergoal shots in the early goings, came back in the third and fourth to score 10 points, two of them monstrous slams that took the fight out of the young, reed-thin Indians aged 20 to 28.

A win over Iran tomorrow would put the Filipinos in Group 2 where they could join with China or Korea. If they advance to the quarters, the Filipinos won’t meet Iran until the semifinals or finals.