India whips new Gilas Pilipinas squad in FIBA Asia Challenge

By Jay R. Gotera Saudi Gazette MANILA — The new Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team started like a house on fire but cooled down considerably in the end to suffer a stinging 91-83 defeat over a much taller India side in their debut in the 2016 FIBA Asia Challenge Friday in Tehran, Iran. The new Gilas boys made their first entry to the world basketball stage with a 12-2 run en route to a 25-16 lead in the first quarter. But the Indians kept attacking the post, where Gilas Pilipinas was weakest, as the lead evaporated. India then poured it on in third quarter, taking command of the game. The young Filipinos launched a spirited comeback bid in the fourth quarter, but momentum was not on their side as the Indians coasted to victory. Mac Belo paced Gilas Pilipinas with 21 points on 8-for-13 shooting from the field and 5-for-6 from three-point range. He also had five rebounds plus a steal and a block. Ed Daquioag added 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists while Russell Escoto chipped in with 11 markers. Mike Tolomia also finished in double digits with 10 points but shot a woeful 4-for-18 (22 percent) for the game. With the Filipinos ahead, 25-16, at the end of the first quarter, India’s star swingman Vishesh Bhriguvanshi dropped 14 huge points in the second canto. That was part of a 20-8 India run that changed the complexion of the game. Three-pointers from RR Pogoy and Kevin Ferrer allowed Gilas to cut the deficit to one, 47-46, at halftime. The Filipinos regained the lead, 53-52, at the start of the third quarter. But India answered with a 12-0 blast – seven of those from talented big man Amjyot Singh – as the Indians took a 68-58 lead at the start of the final quarter. The Filipinos opened the final quarter with a 10-0 blast. They were still up, 75-74, with 4:40 left to play. But India dropped the hammer, closing out the game with a 17-5 run to seal its first win in the tournament. Amjyot Singh led India with 24 points and 18 rebounds while Bhriguvanshi added 20 markers. Amritpal Singh dished out 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists. All three played the entire 40 minutes of the game. The Filipinos could not match India’s tall frontliners. Gilas’ tallest player – 6-foot-9 Arnold Van Opstal — fouled out of the game in only six minutes and 17 seconds of action. Up next for Gilas Pilipinas is Chinese Taipei, a much tougher opponent. The game is set for Sunday.