India upset Chinese Taipei to finish 7th

Tehran, September 18

The Indian men’s basketball team upstaged Chinese Taipei 80-68 in a classification match to finish seventh in the FIBA Asia Challenge here today. India used a strong fourth quarter finish to stave off higher-ranked Chinese Taipei. 

China held off Japan, 75-67, to finish fifth.

Vishesh Bhriguvanshi and Amritpal Singh powered India past a reeling Chinese Taipei, who once again played without the injured Liu Cheng. Bhriguvanshi led the way for the South Asian champs with 22 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 2 three-pointers, while Amritpal Singh anchored the middle with a 20-point, 13-rebound double-double. On the other end, Chinese Taipei drew a combined 31 points from the backcourt duo of Chiang Yu-An and Chou Yi-Hsiang.

Chinese Taipei looked to be the better team at the onset, leading early and often, but they just couldn’t put a far enough distance between themselves and the Indians, who eventually held the advantage, 33-32, at the half-time. It remained a nip-and-tuck affair for the entire third period but coach Sat Prakash’s squad managed to stay ahead, 52-50, heading into the final frame.

Taipei last tasted the lead at the 4:56 mark of the fourth quarter after two points from Chou Yi-Hsiang but that triggered India’s whirlwind of a finish. India outscored Taipei 18-5 in the final five minutes of the match to close the game and put the outcome beyond doubt.

Reserve frontliner Rikin Pethani also impressed for India with 17 points and 9 rebounds, while flashy playmaker Talwinderjit Singh added 13 points. Star forward Amjyot Singh played just 8 minutes and scored 6 points. Despite their 3-5 record and seventh place finish, this performance was another indication of India’s rise in Asian basketball, and they should be an even stronger force in the years to come. — Agencies