HWASEONG, South Korea — Gilas Pilipinas Coach Chot Reyes said Asian Games organizers should review the format of the basketball tournament, citing what he called as India's 'inhuman' schedule.
Playing its fourth game in as many days, India suffered an 85-76 defeat to the Philippines and, worse, possibly lost a player to injury, in the endgame.
Indian player Singh Pratham slipped and his head appeared to hit the floor as he defended Gabe Norwood late in the game against Gilas Pilipinas at the Hwaseong Sports Complex.
Pratham had to be carried off the court by his teammates before medics arrived. He was later carried off in a stretcher and brought to a hospital.
[See Gilas opens Asian Games campaign with close win over hot-shooting India]
Although the incident could not be directly attributed to India’s game schedule, the Philippine national coach called on organizers to take a second look at the format.
“It’s very tough for India because this is their fourth game in a row. Then they are playing tomorrow against Iran. I hope that this can also be a call to tournament organizers that it’s inhuman to play four games in four days.
“We are courting injuries and disaster with this schedule. That’s physically inhuman,” said Reyes.
India coach Scott Flemming said Pratham is now conscious after the accident.
“Last time I checked, they took him to the hospital. Last time I hear, he was awake but he is kinda going out of it,” said the American coach.
“But he was going unconscious. We were concerned about him. But the last time I heard, he was conscious,” said Flemming.
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