India loses to Korea at the FIBA U16 Asian Championship

Team India ready for action on the first day of FIBA U16 Asian Championship in Foshan, China. Image credits: FIBA.com

Bengaluru, 2nd April 2018: The Indian U-16 Men’s Basketball team lost 71-92 to Korea on the first day of the preliminary round of the ongoing FIBA U16 Asian Championship in Foshan, China.

India put up a respectable fight against Korea but fell short by 21 points. Korea opened up a 15-point lead in the first quarter but India increased its pace to match Korea's score in second and third quarters. Despite its valiant effort, India found itself down by 15 points at the beginning of the last quarter and Korea ran away with the game outscoring India 27-21 in the final 10 minutes of play.

India centre Princepal Singh performed outstandingly and emerged as the leading scorer with 28 points. He grabbed 17 rebounds and recorded 3 block shots as well. Rajveer Singh Bhati scored 14 points, including 4 three-pointers in the second half of the game. Captain Harshvardhan Tomar recorded 9 points.

Korea (Kim Jaehyon 19, Moon 13) bt India (Princepal 28, Rajveer 14, Harshvardhan 9) 92-71 (27-12,18-18,20-20,27-21)

About the FIBA U16 Asian Championship

The 16 teams qualified to compete in FIBA U16 Asian Championship are hosts China, reigning champions Korea, Australia, Bahrain, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Macau, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines and Saudi Arabia. Thirteen teams are divided into 3 groups (A, B and C) of 3 teams each and 1 group (D) of 4 teams. The best placed team in each group will qualify directly to the knock-out stage starting with the Quarter-Finals. Second athird-placedced teams will proceed to the Play-Offs Round. The fourth placed team in group D will be eliminated.

India is placed in Group D alongside Korea, Japan and Lebanon.

Preliminary Round Schedule:

India Vs Korea (2nd April)

India Vs Japan (3rd April)

India Vs Lebanon (4th April)