FIBA Asia Championships 2015: India edge Palestine in second round thriller as Amjyot scores 32 points(Video)

Indian power forward Amjyot Singh was instrumental in the team’s victory

India rode on Amjyot Singh’s thirty-two points to beat dark horse Palestine in their opening match of the second round of the FIBA Asia basketball championships. The Indian Cagers kept their cool against a very game Palestinian side to end the game ahead at 73-70.

Debutants in FIBA Asia, Palestine shocked everyone with their historic upset of Asian basketball heavyweights, the Philippines. They continued their eyebrow-raising run with wins against Kuwait and Hong Kong.

The first quarter began with India losing the jump ball and Palestine being the first to score. Amjyot netted his first of three three-pointers, thirty seconds into the match to begin the scoring for the Blues. A closely-contested first quarter ended with India scraping a two-point, courtesy Amjyot Singh’s dunk. At the close of the first quarter, IND 19-17 PLE .

Palestine were determined in the second quarter, after giving up a four-point lead in its beginning. They inched ahead in the fifth minute and managed to hold their narrow lead for the course of the quarter. End of the second quarter, IND 32-36 PLE.

The third quarter did not break the trend, with both sides going back-and-forth and not giving a quarter. Palestine managed a one-point lead in the last minute, only for it to snatched away by a Vishesh Bhriguvanshi three-pointer. India finished the third with a two-point lead, with the scoreboard leading IND 49-47 PLE.

The last quarter of the match was equally hard-fought, with neither side willing to give an inch. India managed a one-point lead in the fourth minute and extended it to six points, finishing the match ahead by three points. At the final buzzer, the Indians walked off the court jubilant, with the scoreboard reading IND 73-70 PLE .

The two-point and three-point shooting ratios saw India just about nosing ahead, but the free throw ratio was much more in their favour. Palestine’s captain and power forward, Sani Sakanini, top-scored for his side with twenty-three points and twelve rebounds. But the story of the match was Indian star Amjyot Singh’s superlative game play, that fetched him thirty-two points, eleven rebounds with three apiece of steals and assists. Indian captain Vishesh Bhriguvanshi and Amritpal Singh also continued their good form with seventeen and fourteen points respectively.