By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
MANILA, Philippines – No surprises in the Smart Araneta Coliseum, where Puerto Rico won its third game in Group B, leaving China winless by beating the Asians 107-89 in front of 7.166 fans.
The 25-year-old playmaker Tremont Waters, who was leading the whole competition in assists per game (10.0) before the start of this game, led his team with 22 points, 6 assists, and 9/14 from the field. Ismael Romero had also a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds to help Nelson Colon’s national team get the win.
After having a losing effort of 18 points against South Sudan, Kyle Anderson – aka Li Kaier – had a poor night in terms of shooting volume. He went 4/5 from the field and 1/4 at the charity stripe for a total of only 9 points in China’s third straight defeat. Rui Zhao was the Chinese leading scorer with 16.
With this victory, Puerto Rico reaches Serbia as a qualified team in Group B for the next phase, where they will face Italy and the Dominican Republic between September 1 and September 3 to get to the Quarter-Finals. South Sudan, Angola, China, and the Philippines.
PHOTO CREDIT: 2023 FIBA World Cup
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