SUMMARY
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MANILA, Philippines – At the turn of the calendar, the 2023 FIBA World Cup shifts its attention to the first real challenges of top title contenders – each with their own increasingly difficult paths to success.
Mighty USA Basketball is again at the forefront of the packed game slate on Friday, September 1, with many other elite teams also hogging a share of the spotlight.
MALL OF ASIA ARENA
USA vs Montenegro
All-NBA USA powered its first real challenge of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, downing gutsy Montenegro, 85-73, after surprisingly trailing at the half.
NBA All-Star Anthony Edwards led the win anew with 17 points on 7-of-16 shooting, while crowd favorite Austin Reaves made a living at the free throw line with 12 points on 9-of-11 charity shots.
Montenegrin top star Nikola Vucevic again lived up to his billing with an 18-point, 16-rebound double-double.
FIBA | FINAL:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 1, 2023
USA looks vulnerable for the first time, but the all-NBA team still hacks out an 85-73 triumph over Montenegro.
Anthony Edwards drops 17 points, Austin Reaves adds 12 to power the Americans to their fourth straight win.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/g6LfxScWcq
FIBA | FINAL:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 1, 2023
Chicago Bulls star Nikola Vucevic pumps in a double-double of 18 points and 15 rebounds against USA but his Montenegro side still slips to 2-2.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC
FIBA | END OF 3Q:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 1, 2023
After falling behind at the half for the first time, USA rights the ship but still can't quite pull away from Montenegro, 61-55.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC
FIBA | HALFTIME:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 1, 2023
A gritty Montenegro crew reclaims the lead from USA at the break, 38-37!
Nikola Vucevic leads the Montenegrins with 9 points and 10 rebounds. Austin Reaves paces the favored Americans with 6 points. #FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC
FIBA | END OF 1Q:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 1, 2023
After trailing at 4-11, the all-NBA USA squad soon finds its groove to wrest the lead from Montenegro, 19-18.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC
Preview
So far, all-NBA USA has been unbothered with the level of competition in the World Cup, but underrated Montenegro hopes to change that perception at 4:40 pm at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Armed at the head with Chicago Bulls star Nikola Vucevic, the Montenegrins rally on for an upset against an in-sync American lineup led by the likes of crowd favorites Anthony Edwards, Austin Reaves, and Josh Hart.
Lithuania vs Greece
Lithuania punched its ticket to the quarterfinals as it took down Greece, 92-67.
After trailing by 4 points at halftime, 39-43, the Lithuanians turned on the jets in the second half and outscored the Greeks, 53-24, to remain undefeated in the tournament at 4-0.
Rokas Jokubaitis led the charge for Lithuania with 19 points, while Ignas Brazdeikis added 18.
FIBA | FINAL:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 1, 2023
Lithuania unleashes a huge second-half surge for a dominant 92-67 victory against Greece!
With the win, Lithuania, as well as USA, advance to the quarterfinals as they both enjoy 4-0 records in the #FIBAWorldCup2023.
📸 FIBA#FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/4xZm3ZJuMV
FIBA | 4Q:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 1, 2023
Lithuania starts the final period on a 10-2 run to widen its gap from Greece, 74-60, with exactly 7 minutes to play.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC
FIBA | END OF 3Q:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 1, 2023
Lithuania outscores Greece by 10 points in the third quarter, 25-15, for a 64-58 advantage. #FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC
FIBA | HALFTIME:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 1, 2023
Greece seizes a 43-39 lead over Lithuania.
Thomas Walkup still leads the Greeks with an all-around game of 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Rokas Jokubaitis paces the Lithuanians with 11 markers. #FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC
FIBA | END OF 1Q:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 1, 2023
Lithuania and Greece are all tied up, 20-20.
Thomas Walkup makes his presence felt early for the Greeks with 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. #FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC
Preview
Underdog Greece continues its steep climb to the top at 8:30 pm, as it takes on world No. 8 Lithuania in its first second-round test.
The likes of Giorgios Papagiannis, Kostas Papanikolaou, and Thanasis Antetokounmpo will scrap and claw for each point against an imposing Lithuanian frontline of Jonas Valanciunas, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, and Donatas Motiejunas.
ARANETA COLISEUM
Serbia vs Italy
Italy pulled off World Cup stunner at the Araneta Coliseum, downing Serbia in a 78-76 escape despite trailing by as many as 16 in the third quarter.
Utah Jazz rising star Simone Fontecchio bucked two straight subpar shooting games with a 30-point explosion on 11-of-15 shooting, while captain Luigi Datome scored all his points in a crucial 10-0 run that erased Italy’s double-digit deficit for good entering the fourth quarter.
Bogdan Bogdanovic paced the heartbreaking loss with 18 points, but only shot a horrendous 1-of-13 from three.
FIBA | FINAL:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 1, 2023
Utah Jazz rising star Simone Fontecchio (30 points, 11/14 FG) goes wild on Serbia as Italy earns a 78-76 comeback win from down double-digits in the second half.
Bogdan Bogdanovic paces the loss with 18 points, but only on 1-of-13 from three.#FIBAWorldCup2023 pic.twitter.com/jla5QG6PGs
FIBA | END OF 3Q:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 1, 2023
Gigi Datome sinks a last second three for late-surging Italy! Serbia hangs on to a 62-59 lead despite starting the third quarter on an 18-4 run.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC
FIBA | HALFTIME:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 1, 2023
Bogdan Bogdanovic sinks a contested buzzer-beating three to lift Serbia past Italy at intermission, 42-40.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC
FIBA | END OF 1Q:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 1, 2023
Italy gets a good start on Serbia, 23-19.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC
Preview
World powers collide to open the Araneta Coliseum game slate as world No. 6 Serbia and No. 10 Italy clash at 4 pm.
All-around guard Bogdan Bogdanovic and NBA prospect Nikola Jovic aim to continue their stellar play against a harmonious Italian rotation led by rising star forward Simone Fontecchio, stretch big Nicolo Melli, and tenacious floor general Marco Spissu.
Dominican Republic vs Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico survived a slugfest against Dominican Republic, hacking out a 102-97 victory as the stars of both squads put on a show.
Former NBA guard Tremont Waters powered the Puerto Ricans with 37 points, 21 coming from beyond the arc, on top of 11 assists, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals.
NBA All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns also dropped a huge double-double of 39 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Dominicans.
Both teams leveled with 3-1 records.
FIBA | FINAL:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 1, 2023
In one of the best games of the #FIBAWorldCup2023 so far, Puerto Rico wins an all-out war against the Dominican Republic, 102-97.
Tremont Waters (PUR) – 37 pts , 7/13 3PT, 11 asts, 7 rebs, 4 stls
Karl-Anthony Towns (DOM) – 39 pts, 10 rebs#FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/a0ZdIGukqu
FIBA | 4Q:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 1, 2023
Karl-Anthony Towns now has the #FIBAWorldCup2023 top scoring record with 39 points!
Dominican Republic leads Puerto Rico, 89-88, with 3:50 left.#FIBAWC
FIBA | END OF 3Q:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 1, 2023
Tremont Waters drills a buzzer-beating three!
Karl-Anthony Towns, however, destroys the Puerto Rico defense with 19 third-quarter points as Dominican Republic leads, 74-69.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC
FIBA | HALFTIME:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 1, 2023
Andres Feliz drains a tying step-back triple as Dominican Republic ties Puerto Rico, 45-all.
NBA player Lester Quinones finally shows up with 10 first-half points, tying star center Karl-Anthony Towns.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC
FIBA | END OF 1Q:
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 1, 2023
Puerto Rico takes advantage of Dominican Republic's poor shooting start, takes a 17-12 lead.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC
Preview
Backed by strong fan bases even on the other side of the world, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico cap off the night with what promises to be an intriguing 8 pm showdown.
NBA All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns is the obvious head of the snake for the spirited Dominican charge with the likes of sharpshooting Andres Feliz and Lester Quinones flanking the sides, while former NBA guard Tremont Waters and bruising center Ismael Romero anchor the Puerto Rican bid.
Please refresh this page for live updates. – Rappler.com
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