Gilas Pilipinas vs. India: TV Info, Live Stream and Preview for 2014 Asian Games
Gilas Pilipinas will open their 2014 Asian Games account on Tuesday, taking on an India team that narrowly escaped from their qualifying group with a 2-1 record.
India tied Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia with two wins in Group B, advancing thanks to a superior point differential. Built around their tremendous frontcourt, they'll immediately present the Philippines with a serious challenge.
With Iran the favourites to win Group E, the winner of Tuesday's game will almost certainly join the squad in the quarterfinals. Despite this being just the first match for Gilas Pilipinas, the stakes already couldn't be any higher.
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Date: Tuesday, September 23
Time: Midnight, ET
TV info and live stream: The game will be broadcast on Kapatid TV5, with mobile coverage available via the event's official website (only available in the Philippines) and Eversport's full coverage of the 2014 Asian Games.
Preview
The Philippines and India met in the 2014 FIBA Asia Cup in July, playing out a thriller that ended in a 70-65 win for Gilas Pilipinas:
The Indian team dominated Palestine but suffered a surprising six-point loss to Saudi Arabia, with qualification coming down to a head-to-head against Kazakhstan. A convincing 19-point-win saw India top Group B, and Josh Reyes, son of Philippines head coach Victor Reyes, was impressed by what he saw:
The NBA has invested heavily in the Indian market, and the young squad that took to the court against Kazakhstan was living proof. Led by undersized point guard Joginder Singh, who dropped 25 points in their last match, India's frontcourt rotation is brutal.
Vishesh Bhriguvanshi has set the tone rebounding for the squad early in Incheon, but in truth, India's big men take a team-approach to shining on the interior. Marcus Douthit, Gilas' top center, will have his work cut out for him on Tuesday.
Replacing Andray Blatche, who was declared ineligible to play in the Asian Games, Douthit told reporters seemingly everyone wants to play for Gilas these days, via Sportsdesk.ph's Levi Verora Jr.:
"Everyone wants to play for Gilas now after me and all the things we've accomplished.
I hope they get an opportunity play for this great country.
I am blessed to have this opportunity. A lot of naturalized players come and go but I have been here and I am just thankful.
I am just ready to fill the void the team needs. Andray plays different so I will fill what the team needs the most.
"
The battle in the interior will be key, but Gilas hold the advantage on the perimeter. Singh exploded against Kazakhstan but has been surprisingly quiet so far during the Asian Games, and against Paul Lee, he won't find a lot of open looks or opportunities to drive toward the basket.
Keen to impress after signing a new deal with Rain or Shine, via Rivals' Paul Flores, Lee is expected to be the team's on-court leader once again as they prepare for another battle with Iran, a team against which they have struggled in recent times.
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