India down Philippines in final

CHENNAI, AUG 16: India, no doubt, emerged triumphant. But it was not victory in the complete sense while defeating the Filipinos 87-76 in t...

CHENNAI, AUG 16: India, no doubt, emerged triumphant. But it was not victory in the complete sense while defeating the Filipinos 87-76 in the final of the Blue Star Sports Academy-conducted Golden Eagle Invitation Basketball Championship for men at the Dr J Jayalalitha Indoor Complex today.

The Philippines bunch consisted of boys who took part in the recent under-22 Asian Basketball Championship. And had the visitors, who had come with only eight players, had one or two tall men, things could have turned out different.

8220;The game seem to be running in their blood,8221; one of the Indian players opined. It rang so true, for the Filipinos displayed superb fundamentals, ball sense and control.

The first half was very close with the lead shifting hands twice. Power-forward Junel Menoiola converted a Darvin Tuafon through a short jump-shot enabling Philippines take a slender 42-41 lead at half time.

Both sides played pressure zone defence, but the Indian back was weak and it was through the zeros8217; that the Filipino guards, especially the gifted Renato Morano, cut in for their baskets.

India had a major say in the rebounds, but Paraminder Sr, the 6 foot, 10-inch centre, was marked admirably, the Filipinos employing helping defence. But he still made room to effort rebounds conversions and close-to-the-board shots.

The first half was more of a war of long-rangers. It was a battle between Jaldeep, Paraminder Jr, Gagnesh Kumar and point-guard B.S. Gautham for India and guard Renato Morano and power-forward Glenn Peter for Philippines.

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Early in the second half, India played three tall men, Ashok Kumar, Jaldeep Dhaliwal and Paraminder Sr, who played high post. With Ashok and Jaldeep finding the space to drive in, India, dominating the offensive rebounds, shot off to a 11-point lead 61-50.

But three-pointers, short jump-shots by Glenn Peter, effortless baskets by Renato Morano and Bendillo saw Philippines reduce the lead to one point 74-75 with three and half minutes to go.

Jaldeep scored two drive-ins and Paraminder Sr, Ashok Kumar and Gautham converted the throws they got as Philippines,8217; for the first time in the tournament, completed their quota of fouls ahead of their rivals. And this proved decisive.

In the match for the third place, National champions Tamil Nadu defeated Malaysia 78-76.

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BRIEF SCORES: India 87 Parminder Singh Sr 24, Jaideep Dhaliwal 17, Gagnesh Kumar 16 and Parminder Singh Jr 14 bt Philippines 76 Renato Morano 20, Glenn Peter John 20 and Junel Menoiola 17