Pethani, India shift attention to FIBA Asia Championship

NEW DELHI (2015 FIBA Asia Championship) - India cut down the SABA Championship field this past weekend like a scythe slicing through wheat.

The Indians stormed to victories over Bangladesh (122-39), Nepal (90-37), Maldives (128-48), Bhutan (119-52) and Sri Lanka (93-44).

Now comes a far more difficult task.

On 23 September, the Prasad Rama Linga-coached team will launch its FIBA Asia Championship campaign in Changsha, China.

The event will last until 3 October.

India's starting center and captain, Rikin Pethani, believes his country has what it takes to make the knockout round of the tournament.

"With the experience we have on this team and the players that will come back for the ABC (FIBA Asia Championship) after their pro obligations are completed, we have a great chance to build on what we did at the 5th FIBA Asia Cup and make the top eight," he said.

At the Asia Cup, India made headlines when they upset China on the second day of the competition, 65-58.

"The groupings (of the FIBA Asia Championship) will definitely work in our favor as there are definitely winnable games in the first and second rounds of the event," Pethani said.

We'll keep working hard and continue to develop on a day to day basis. - Pethani

India were missing starters Amritpal Singh, Amjyot Singh Gill, Vishesh Bhriguvanshi and Yadwinder Singh yet dominated at the SABA Championship.

At the FIBA Asia Championship, India will play in Group A against Iran, Japan and Malaysia in the opening round.

If India are among the top three teams in that pool, they will advance to the Second Round, which will have two six-team groups.

In the Second Round, India would meet the the top three sides that advance from opening round Group B, which consists of the Philippines, Palestine, Kuwait and the East Asia qualifier.

Should India finish among the top four in their six-team, Second Round group, they will reach the Quarter-Finals.

"The team chemistry is very good right now and as we train together and work as a team, that will only get better.

"The key will be getting adequate practice matches against top international competition before the ABC, but the federation is working on that and I'm sure something will get done.

FIBA