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For the first time since 2003, India has progressed to the quarterfinals of the 28th FIBA Asia Championship for Men that is underway in Changsha, China. This will provide solace to the team, which lost to a hot Philippines side, 99-65, earlier this afternoon. In form Philippines came into this game on the back of four straight victories which included a first ever win against Asian giant Iran yesterday.

Despite the loss, India qualified for the knockout stage based on its two wins in the last three games, the biggest over Palestine on Sunday morning. While both teams finished with the same Group record of 2-3, India won their only head-to-head match up and will move on to face the Pool F topper, who will be determined by the winner of the China-Qatar matchup later in the evening.

India which had a good start to this game, leading after the first quarter, 17-16, before the Filipinos got their bearings and proceeded to take over. The Indians, winners of their previous two games, leaned on the troika of Vishesh Bhrguvanshi, Amjyot Singh, and Amrit Pal Singh, who combined to score 50 points. India’s bench wasn’t able to step up here, scoring just 3 points.

Turning Point: India was still within striking distance at the 8:24 mark of the fourth period, 66-58, but that was when the Philippines shifted into high gear and opened things up. Coach Baldwin’s squad unloaded a 29-2 blast in the next six minutes that deflated India and put the outcome beyond doubt.

Stats Don’t Lie: Fluid offense and tenacious defense were the Filipinos’ calling cards in this encounter. Gilas Pilipinas assisted on 21 of their 41 field goals and forced 22 Indian turnovers, which were converted into 26 points-off-turnovers.

Commenting on the achievement, veteran forward Yadwinder Singh said, “We are ecstatic to have qualified and all the players have put in a lot of effort. Compared to teams in the past, the key difference has been the improved showing of our big men Amjyot Singh and Amritpal Singh.” Both Amjyot and Amritpal are professionals in the Japanese developmental league, and their exposure abroad is showing immediate divided.

Captain Vishesh Bhriguvanshi led the team with 21 points, including 5-10 outside shooting, while Amritpal Singh matched former-NBA player Andre Blatche blow for blow with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Star Amjyot Singh had an off-night with 11 points and 5 rebounds.

?Sebastian PJ from Kerala was the Asst Coach for this team.