By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
MANILA, Philippines – Two days after stunning the United States, Lithuania unceremoniously fell to Serbia in the Quarterfinals of the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Chipping in 17 points and six rebounds coming off the bench, Filip Petrusev helped the national team of his country move into the Semifinals.
“I had the injury in the first game. So, I am not where I am supposed to be physically,” he mentioned referring to missing the last two games of the preliminary round due to an issue on his right ankle, “I was just glad I could help [Nikola] Milutinov. He had so much work on defense guarding [Jonas] Valanciunas. He did a great job. That was the opportunity for me to step in, especially in the offense, and contribute.”
His combined efforts with Nikola Milutinov limited Jonas Valanciunas to 11 points over 18 minutes.
“Why not? Especially after victories like this. This team just beat the USA,” added the new player of the Philadelphia 76ers on Serbia potentially winning gold in the Philippines by the end of the week, “It definitely gives us confidence that we can go all the way.”
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL
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