INDIA ended a 12-year drought in the FIBA Asia Championship for men’s basketball Tuesday. For the first time since 2003, Indian made it to the quarterfinals of the biannual event in China’s Changsha.

    India will face the challenge of host and world No. 14 China, which beat Qatar 89-65 to win its sixth straight game at the event.

    Despite the 65-99 defeat against world No. 31 Philippines, India progressed to the knockout stage having recorded two wins in the second round.

    With India’s quarterfinal berth hanging in balance, defending champion Iran did India a huge favor as they shut the doors on Palestine, handing them 46-point (94-48) drubbing in the last second round game.

    The result gave India a place in the last eight after the side posted a thrilling three-point win over Palestine on Sunday.

    Philippines, Iran, Japan and India advanced to the quarterfinals from Group E.

    (SD-Agencies)