FIBA Asia Championship 2015: India win their first match of the second round, Hand Palestine their first loss

Modified Sep 27, 2015 13:13 GMT

Amjyot Singh was once again at the fore of the Indian offense

A rested India learned from past mistakes and gave Palestine it’s first loss of the Championship 73 to 70, in a back and forth match that saw two up and coming teams play to their full, entertaining potential. India and Palestine came into the 2nd round on different ends of the spectrum, as India had lost 2 of their 3 matches and Palestine had won all three of its first round, including the upset of the tournament against Philippines.

India started off the game hot, just like the previous match against Japan, with Vishesh Bhriguvanshi controlling the game with 6 points and 2 assists and Amjyot Singh starting off hot with 7 points, including an emphatic, crowd-raising dunk at the end of the 1^st quarter.

Palestine didn’t relent as they came back to win the second quarter. However, the turnovers, 17 to India’s 13, for Palestine proved to be too much to overcome. Palestine dominated the rebound margin 49-38 but India’s interior defence and length provided to be too strong. India went on to win the second half, and eventually the game, in what turned out to be a game of scoring runs, the last of Palestine’s which India was able to hold off, after J Abu Shamala missed a 3 pointer at the buzzer off a steal that would have tied the game.

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Palestine was led by skipper Sani Sakakini and J Abu Shamala, with 23 and 21 points, respectively.

India’s Big 3 Puts on a Show

Just like against Japan, India’s big 3 of Amritpal Singh, Amjyot Singh and captain Vishesh Bhriguvanshi, dominated the game for India, each understanding their roles and playing to them perfectly. High-flying scorer, Amjyot had the best game of his young India career with 32 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals while Amritpal provided the muscle down low to an efficient 7/11 performance for 14 points and 9 rebounds. Vishesh provided the veteran leadership expected from the captain to an all around performance of 17 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals and 5 assists, finally being able to showcase his full play-making ability throughout the Championship, knowing he has two others to carry the scoring load.

Their performance shouldn’t dismiss the job well done by the role players and bench of India, as Akilan Pari played great defence and veteran Yadwinder Singh hustling and providing the much needed energy off the limited Indian bench.

Coach Sat Prakash hailed his team’s performance after the game, “This is a great win for the team. We played aggressively on offence and defence, which made the win possible. It will give us great confidence for the upcoming matches as Palestine is a very good team on both ends of the floor.”

India (Amjyot Singh 32 pts, 11 rbs, 3 assts, & 3 stls,Vishesh Bhriguvanshi 17 pts, 3 rbs, 3 stls, & 5 asts, Amritpal Singh 14 pts & 9 rbs) beat Palestine(Sani Sakakini 23 pts & 12 rbs, J Abu Shamala 21 pts, and Salim Sakakini 16 pts) 73-70 (19-17, 13-19, 17-11, 24-23)