Eight groups are left vying for the Naismith Trophy and the race for the coveted prize will additional intensify when the 2023 FIBA World Cup quarterfinal spherical opens curtains on Tuesday on the Mall of Asia Arena.
Kicking off hostilities at 4:45 p.m. is the European conflict of Lithuania and Serbia to be adopted by the highly-anticipated match of world no. 2 United States and no. 10 Italy at 8:40 p.m.
The Lithuanians are coming in as the favourite after sweeping their first and second spherical assignments, highlighted by a 110-104 upset of the Americans final Sunday. They ended up with a clear 5-0 win-loss slate earlier than heading to the quarterfinals.
The New Orleans Pelicans’ Jonas Valaciunas has been the chief of Lithuania, averaging 13.6 factors and 9.2 rebounds by way of 5 video games.
They can be up in opposition to a hungry Serbia aspect, who’s being led by three NBA gamers in Bogdan Bogdanovic (Atlanta), Nikola Jovic (Miami), and Filip Petrusev (Philadelphia).
But greater than that, the Eagles have a powerful depth with the likes of Nikola Milutinov, Stefan Jovic, and Marko Guduric additionally placing within the numbers. Serbia swept the primary spherical in opposition to China, Puerto Rico, and South Sudan earlier than splitting its second spherical assignments in opposition to Italy and Dominican Republic.
Meanwhile, USA is trying to prolong its redemption marketing campaign because it takes on Italy within the marquee match-up.
The Americans, although, are coming off a stinging loss to Lithuania to finish the second spherical with a 4-1 card. But nonetheless, the star-studded USA is trying to to maintain rolling within the event.
USA has plenty of leaders on the ground with younger gunner Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves pacing the squad in factors along with his 20.2 markers whereas Josh Hart and Tyrese Haliburton lead them in rebounds and assists, respectively.
But their work will not be straightforward, particularly with the Azzurri additionally out to get to the semifinals.
Led by the Utah Jazz’s Simone Fontecchio, Italy had been flying underneath the radar by way of the event because it closed out the primary spherical with a 2-1 report. The Italians then shocked the world once they shocked Serbia then eradicated Puerto Rico within the second spherical.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
