Iran vs. Gilas Pilipinas: TV Info, Live Stream and Preview for 2014 Asian Games
Gilas Pilipinas got their 2014 Asian Games campaign off to a winning start against India, and they'll take on reigning Asian champions Iran on Thursday in Incheon.
The win over India puts the Philippines in excellent position to finish Group E in the top two and qualify for the quarter-finals, but the match against Iran is far more important. It's been 41 years since Gilas have last beaten the Persians in an official FIBA match—high time to solve that puzzle.
Date: Thursday, September 25
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Time: 6 a.m. BST/1 a.m. ET
Venue: Hwaseong Sports Complex Gymnasium, Incheon
TV info and live stream: The game will be broadcast on Kapatid TV5, with mobile coverage available via Eversport's complete coverage of the 2014 Asian Games.
Preview
Gilas' 85-76 win over India was as routine as they come, racing out to a 16-0 lead and cruising the rest of the way. India's vaunted frontcourt failed to get a grip on proceedings, as the Philippines' midrange and outside shooting was on fire throughout the game.
Head coach Chot Reyes was hardly satisfied, however. He blamed event organisers for India's rough schedule and consequent lack of fitness in facing his team, via Business Mirror's Jun Lomibao:
"Except for that opening 16-0 run in the opening frame, I think the Indians beat us the rest of the way.
I would like to commend them. That is one tough team. When we ask teams to play more than three games in a row, that is inhuman. Players become more prone to injuries. That is courting disaster.
I’m happy with the result, but I’m not happy with the way the guys played. I think if they were a lot fresher, if they didn’t play their fourth game in four days, it would have been a much difficult time for us. We are happy to come out with the victory and hopefully, we could get better.
"
India have played four straight since the qualifiers and will add a fifth against Asian champions Iran, whereas Gilas were fresh coming into Tuesday's match. As a result, the Indian team struggled closing down shooting lanes, and Gilas' backcourt had a field day.
Singh Amritpal continued his dominance inside, however, lack of fitness or not, and his success (16 points, six rebounds) against the likes of Marcus Douthit and Junemar Fajardo is a bad omen with the Persians up next.
Iran field arguably the most dominant center in all of Asia—Hamed Haddadi. The 29-year-old has been a thorn in the team's side in the past two years, and Hardball don't see that changing:
Gilas' reliance on the outside jumper against India was understandable, given the team's tremendous frontcourt, but they'll have to be more aggressive attacking the basket against Iran.
Solid transition defence will also be key. Iran have made Gilas look bad on the fast break time and time again in the past, knowing they can commit numbers with behemoth Haddadi protecting the rim.
Iran have been the dominant force in Asian basketball for some time now, but the Philippines have never looked better than they do in 2014. A win on Thursday would lead to a favourable draw for the quarter-final group, setting the stage for a potential run toward a medal next week.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
