FIBA Asia 2015 Matchup Preview: Gilas Pilipinas Basketball sixth opponent India national team will be the third of Gilas in the Second round this September 29 at Changsha China, FIBA Asia 2015. We examine the strengths and weaknesses, and also the best players that India NT can offer opposite our national five.

Philippine Basketball Team will go head-to-head with a dangerous Indian squad who beat Palestine, and was able to hold a few quarters before eventually losing-out to Iran and Japan NTs. India currently sports a 2-2 win-loss slate.

Rated at 61 in FIBA World rankings, India played 24 times in FIBA Asia Championships. They have not entered the FIBA World Cup so far and has never won a single medal in the Asian level.

Additionally, FIBA Asia records show that India never won a single basketball game against Pilipinas. The slate stands 13-0. Philippines so far won five Gold medals while India has not won one to date.

Pilipinas should not take India lightly. The losses of India in this present joust is not indicative of its true strength. We must not forget, India demolished China Team B in FIBA Asia Cup 2014. And Philippines beat the Indians by a measly four points, 70-66. Four? Yes that’s correct, in that same tournament.

India is a relatively young team with majority of players aged at early 20s. They were once coached by American mentor Scott Fleming, and is now undergoing extensive team rebuilding under coach Sat Prakash Yadav.

The tournament’s highest Indian scorer is Amjyot Singh with 25.2 PPG and 10.0 RPG. He is India’s premiere slasher and swingman. However, we must keep close watch for strong center Amritpal Singh who may just be waiting for his breakout game. In the last FIBA Asia Cup 2014, Amritpal more than held his own against bigs like Marcus Douthit and Hamed Haddadi. Both Singh’s are imports at Japan pro league JBL.

Vishesh Bhriguvanshi is the licensed outside gunner of the South Asians. Dondon Hontiveros and Calvin Abueva should make life miserable for Bhriguvanshi in the court to negate his threat.

India does not have a good backcourt rotation. This is one glaring weakness that Philippines should take advantage of. Tab Baldwin should try to impose trapping and full-court defense to stifle the offensive rhythm of India. This team is also underrated in three point shooting. They can shoot the three point bombs, and that include their bigs. RP should be quick to react to open men from the outside range.

Asi Taulava, Sonny Thoss and Andray Blatche should also impose in the paint early against Ajyot and Amritpal to bring them to early foul trouble. If the two Singh’s are taken out of the equation, the higher are the chances RP Five will dominate India.

JC Intal, Sonny Thoss and Marc Pingris should step-up big time to lighten the burden of other Gilas players who were taking much of the scoring load for the squad. This is also a good time for Matt Ganuelas-Rosser and Gabe Norwood to have a breakout game.

Finally, in a big win against Iran, Gilas may fall yet again to complacency. Pilipinas should come at gametime with the hungrier mental attitude. RP is not out of the woods yet, as losing this game may bring the nationals to a possible early face-off with a dangerous China.