The 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup formally opened in three host international locations on Friday and a few groups have already picked up large wins of their respective teams.
Catch up on the whole lot that went on in an eventful Day 1 from Manila, Okinawa, and Jakarta.
Dominican Republic edges Philippines, 87-81, in entrance of document crowd
Jordan Clarkson and the remainder of the house staff Gilas Pilipinas placed on a present in entrance of a document FIBA World Cup crowd of 38,115 on the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. The Utah Jazz star scored 28 factors earlier than fouling out with over three minutes left in an in depth contest.
Ultimately, it was Karl-Anthony Towns (26 factors, 10 rebounds, 15-of-16 FTs) and his robust Dominican Republic squad that emerged victorious within the endgame. Towns, after the sport, praised younger Gilas large man AJ Edu, who defended him for a lot of the contest, as an “ultra competitor”.
Gilas will return to motion on Sunday, August 27, in a conflict in opposition to Angola.
Read extra | FIBA World Cup Preview: A Serbian correspondent breaks down Gilas Pilipinas vs Angola
Canada routs France, 95-65, in battle of heavyweights
While the USA stays to be the heavy favourite within the competitors, Canada and France are two of the groups which have been talked about as potential medalists on this yr’s version of the FIBA World Cup as effectively.
On opening day, nevertheless, Canada made an enormous assertion in Jakarta with a 30-point rout of France in a battle of Group H heavyweights behind a standout efficiency from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who posted 27 factors, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists. He scored 11 of these factors in a breakaway third interval the place they turned a three-point halftime lead right into a 20-point margin after a 25-8 quarter.
Other NBA gamers like Kelly Olynyk, Dillon Brooks, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker made large contributions for the North American squad.
Read extra | Who’s in? Who’s out?: A listing of NBA gamers enjoying within the 2023 FIBA World Cup
France, enjoying this event with out Victory Wembanyama, was led by Evan Fournier with 21 factors.
Germany cruises previous Japan, 81-63, in Okinawa
Germany blew the sport in opposition to host Japan huge open within the first half and cruised the remainder of the best way to select an early win in Group E of the FIBA World Cup.
Mo Wagner got here in from off the bench midway by the primary quarter and turned a four-point recreation right into a 23-11 benefit for Germans by the top of the interval because of seven fast factors, together with a rebounds and an help from the Orlando Magic participant.
He completed the sport with 25 factors on 10-for-14 taking pictures and 9 rebounds in beneath 24 minutes of play. Dennis Schroeder added 14 factors, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Japan was led by Yuta Watanabe with 20 factors.
Lithuania outclasses Egypt, 93-67
Jonas Valanciunas and his Lithuania staff took the lead in Group D as they outclassed Egypt, 93-67, after delivering a powerful first quarter and conserving their opponents at bay the remainder of the best way.
Valanciunas scored 11 of the staff’s first 15 factors as Lithuania constructed a 26-12 benefit after the opening interval.
He completed the sport with 15 markers and 10 boards, although he solely performed 17 and a half minutes with 4 fouls. That didn’t matter a lot as his teammates by no means let Egypt nearer than eight factors within the third quarter earlier than turning it right into a rout with a giant ending kick.
Lithuania’s Margiris Normantas led all scorers with 18 factors.
Red-hot Latvia shoots down Lebanon, 109-70
A sweet-shooting Latvia staff overwhelmed Lebanon en path to a 39-point blowout, 109-70, in Group H motion of the FIBA World Cup in Jakarta.
Latvia knocked down 18 three-pointers on a 51.4-percent clip in a dominant taking pictures efficiency.
Guard Dairis Bertans, the brother of NBA participant Davis Bertans, led the staff with 20 factors, together with 6-for-7 taking pictures from three. Six different Latvians reached double figures in scoring with Davis and Kristers Zoriks each flattening three triples as effectively.
Lebanon was led by Sergio El Darwich, who scored 19 factors.
Other outcomes
Group A | Italy 81-67 Angola: Italy beats Angola to take early lead in Gilas’ FIBA World Cup group
Group D | Montenegro 91-71 Mexico: Nikola Vucevic scores 27 to steer Montenegro previous Mexico at MOA Arena
Group E | Australia 98-72 Finland: NBA gamers Mills, Giddey lead Australia to rout of Finland in FIBA World Cup
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
