REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PASAY CITY — Canada set a new record during its participation in the FIBA World Cup. For the first time, Canada successfully qualified for the semi-finals of the Basketball World Cup. This was after Canada beat Slovenia 100-89 in the final game of the quarterfinals. FIBA World Cup 2023 at Mall of Asia, Pasay City, Manila, Philippines, Wednesday (6/9/2023) evening WIB.
Canada, which beat defending FIBA World Cup champions Spain in the final game of the second group round, actually started the match less convincingly. However, slowly, Jordi Fernández’s team managed to recover and close the first quarter with a narrow lead, 26-24.
Slovenia matters Luka Doncic could gain a lead in the second quarter. Both teams also collected 50 points when they returned to the locker room at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The decisive moment came in the third quarter. Canada was able to continue to gain points while appearing solid defensively. Successful blocking of movement and continued suppression of Doncic’s actions as well as precise three-point shooting became Canada’s main weapons in the third quarter. Canada ultimately closed the third quarter with a nine-point lead, 80-71.
Canada continued its momentum in the fourth quarter. Dillon Brooks, who was assigned to guard Doncic, was able to perform his duties well in this game. Even though the referee was ejected for committing two technical fouls, Brooks managed to keep the Dallas Maverick star’s play down for the remainder of the match.
At his peak, Slovenia had to lose Doncic four minutes from the end of the fourth quarter. The 24-year-old leader was sent off by the referee after committing two technical fouls. Throughout the game, Doncic recorded 26 points, resulting in eight goals on 20 shots.
On the other hand, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and RJ Barrett looked calm as before while earning points for Canada. Shai won the most points in this match with a collection of 31 points. The Oklahoma City Thunder point guard also had 10 bounces and 4 assist.
Shai was recorded as the first player to be able to score over 30 points and 10 bounces in the FIBA World Cup Round of 16 since 1994. Gilgeous-Alexander’s impressive performance was followed by a strong performance from Barret, who scored a total of 24 points throughout the match.
Being the last team to secure a spot in the semifinals of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Canada awaited Serbia, who managed to eliminate Lithuania, 87-68, in the quarterfinals the day before. The Canada vs Serbia duel is scheduled to take place at the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay, Philippines, on Friday (8/9/2023), local time.
In the other semi-final, Germany will face the United States. Germany managed to crush Latvia’s resistance, while the United States managed to eliminate Italy.
“Amateur problem solver. Hipster-friendly alcohol lover. Beer buff. Infuriatingly humble tv geek.”
