PTI
TEHRAN
In a rare feat, the Indian men's basketball team stunned formidable China in its second-round group E encounter to stay in contention for a quarter-final berth in the FIBA Asia Challenge on Tuesday.
The Indians triumphed 70-64 to hand the group-toppers their first loss. This was India's second win in four matches and the team is currently placed third in the group. The Indians need to finish inside the top-four to make the last-eight stage and will take on Kazakhstan in their final group encounter on Wednesday.
India had earlier beaten China two years ago in the FIBA Asia Cup. Hero of Tuesday's triumph was Amritpal Singh who carried the team to the momentous victory with a superb all-round performance. China was ahead 17-14 after the first quarter, putting up a lead that stood the highest at nine points in the middle of the second period.
However, India scripted a turnaround from there. With China leading 27-18 in the second quarter, India tightened up their defence and went on the offensive. Amritpal and Amjyot paired up to spark a 13-2 run that ended the first half 31-29 to hand India a slim two-point advantage at the break. The Chinese could not surpass the lead after that.
The Indian defence was impeccable and forced the Chinese into committing errors. India scored 22 points off turnovers. The 25-year-old Amritpal who plays professionally in Japan, recorded 23 points, hauled down 14 rebounds, blocked 3 shots and had 3 steals in a fantastic show of skill. He outplayed China's erstwhile star Hu Jinqiu, who managed 19 points and 9 boards.
The Turning Point
Things were rather unremarkable for India early on with China leading after one quarter, 17-14, and coach Li Nan’s wards putting up a lead that stood the highest at 9 points in the middle of the second period. That, however, was when things started to turn. With China leading, 27-18, at the 4:53 mark of the second quarter, India tightened up on defence and let loose on offence. Amritpal and Amjyot paired up to spark a 13-2 run that ended the first half and handed India a slim 2-point advantage at the break. Try as they might, the Chinese would never be able to retake the lead.
