By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
A setback for Filip Petrusev and Serbia, early in the game against China in Manila Araneta Coliseum Saturday.
Petrusev, 23, picked up an injury on his right ankle and was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the Group B Gameday 1 contest, opening the preliminary round of the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
The Philadelphia 76ers newcomer actually stayed on the court following the injury, but soon limped off to the bench. He did not return for the second half, apparently to be tested by the medical staff of the Serbia senior national team.
“He sprained his ankle. He could have played, but it was not necessary,” commented head coach Svetislav Pesic.
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Petrusev officially completed the jump to the NBA by signing a deal with the Sixers in July. The organization based in Philadelphia secured his NBA rights via the 50th selection in the 2021 draft.
Logging eight points and two rebounds over five minutes until exiting the game versus China, his efforts helped the team coached by Pesic to set up a comfortable lead. His side went on to secure a convincing win and improve to 1-0 in the four-team group.
Moving forward in Quezon City of the Philippines, Serbia will take on Puerto Rico on Monday and South Sudan on Wednesday. “I don’t know if he will be available against Puerto Rico,” Pesic added on Petrusev, “It was a slight sprain.”
Landing the first or second seed would earn a spot in Group I of the second round and a chance to battle for a berth in the Quarterfinals of FIBA’s flagship event. The bottom two national teams of Group B will instead continue in Group M to rank between 17th and 32nd.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL