Navarro, Ravena key PHL’S rout of hapless India

WILLIAM NAVARRO and Thirdy Ravena were the men of the hour as the Philippines overpowered India, 10159, on Friday in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Cup at the Istoria Stadium in Jakarta.

Navarro scored 18 points on 6 of 7 shooting while Ravena, recovered from a bad fall in the team’s previous game, went 7 of 8 for 17 points in addition to five rebounds and two steals for Gilas Pilipinas who bounced back from an 80-95 loss to Lebanon two nights ago.

The Philippines is now 1-1 wonlost in Group D.

“It’s an important game for us and we needed this win,” Serbiannew Zealander Coach Nenad Vucinic said. “We were disappointed with our performance in our first game [against Lebanon].”

“Congratulations to everyone for stepping up,” he said. “Our defense earlier is huge as it forces India to turnovers.”

Bobby Ray Parks Jr. made 12 points, Rhenz Abando had 10 points and 6-foot-7 Carl Tamayo contributed nine points for Team Philippines. Sixfoot-8 Kevin Quiambao dished out nine assists and posted six points.

Abando sank a triple as Gilas stretched their lead to 95-53 with still three minutes left.

But it was Ravena who led the Philippines’s furious attack in the opening quarter, also nailing a buzzer-beating basket for a 20-13 Philippine lead.

Ravena sustained his game in the second period by unloading eight of Gilas’ 10 points for a 30-20 advantage.

Muin Bek Hafeez led India with 14 points.

Gilas will play next the New Zealand Tall Blacks on Sunday at 9 p.m.

It was a sigh of relief for Gilas as it would automatically move to the next round regardless of the result of their game against the Kiwis.

India suffered back-to-back defeats to fall out of contention for the next round.