Shorthanded Gilas rips India for 2nd win in FIBA WCQ

Dwight Ramos leads GIlas into a dominant victory over India. Dennis Jerome Acosta
By Ivan Saldajeno

PASAY--Gilas Pilipinas still showed might on Sunday night even with one player in its pool out as it clobbered India, 79-63, for its second win in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Despite sitting out Dave Ildefonso due to lingering pain in his knee, the already depleted Gilas side banked on its quickness to tear down the taller yet error-prone Indian counterpart.

Gilas pounced on India's turnovers to score fastbreak plays late in the first quarter to pull away and open a 21-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Gilas eventually stretched its lead to 24, 65-41, in the third period, but the team had to withstand a scare from India in the fourth quarter to seal the win.

Dwight Ramos paced Gilas, which finished the first round of the qualifiers in second place in Group A, with 21 points, five rebounds, two assists, and four steals.

Kiefer Ravena added 12 points, two rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

Muin Hafeez put up 12 markers, two boards, three dimes, and two swipes for India, which remained winless at 0-4, although both teams will still be through to the second round of the qualifiers due to the disqualification of South Korea.

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