By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
With the toughest challenges remaining ahead, Italy defeated Angola, 92-61, on Monday at Foshan for Group D of the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
Marco Belinelli climbed up to fifth place of the Italian national team’s list of scorers starring in the game. The 33-year-old forward went for 17 points making three shots beyond the arc, grabbed 5 rebounds as well. “We approached the game in the right way, everybody was aggressive in offense and defense” he said after his impressive outing.
All 12 available Italians saw action and 10 players got on the board. Behind Belinelli’s team-high contribution, Daniel Hackett, Awudu Abass and Jeff Brooks finished with 11 points apiece with the latter adding 11 rebounds as well.
The Azzurri missed 8 free throws, most of them early, but were effective enough to build a commanding lead they easily preserved. The win got them to 2-0 before the final Group D game versus Serbia on Wednesday.
“Our good defense in the first quarter changed the game” Sacchetti noted after the contest. “The next game is the toughest game for us in this group.”
Angola will seek their first win at Foshan in Gameday 3 facing the Philippines. On the losing effort versus the Italians, Yanick Moreira had 15 points and 8 rebounds, as a team Will Voigt’s players only made 2/18 threes.
“We just turned the ball over so much. We had 10 turnovers in the first half, 18 points off turnovers in the game” Angola’s head coach mentioned in the post-game press conference. “We are disappointed, but we have to forget this game and prepare for the Philippines.”
Leonel Paulo was disqualified late in the game after landing a headbutt on Alessandro Gentile. He exited with 12 points overcoming an injury scare in the first quarter.
Reggie Moore did not score in 24:22. “Our defense held up in the first half. When they started to hit shots in the second half, we could not hold them back” he pointed out and on the upcoming match: “If we play our style, we will make it tough against the Philippines.”
If the Serbians confirm favorite status and beat the Philippines later today, they will punch a ticket for the second round alongside Italy, while the other two national teams will be officially set for classification matches.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL