By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
The Philippines provided no serious challenge to red-hot Serbia. Sasha Djordjevic’s side strolled to the 126-67 win in 2019 FIBA World Cup Group D action at Foshan on Monday to secure a spot in the second round.
Nemanja Bjelica saw action after missing the first game and made 7/7 from the field for 20 points. Bogdan Bogdanovic put up 17 points to include himself among seven players scoring in double digits. Nikola Jokic tallied 11 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists in just 18:45.
Boban Marjanovic posted 9 points with 4/4 two-pointers. “We respect every opponent, but we can never relax,” he mentioned after the contest. “We are really enjoying ourselves.”
The Serbians built a double-digit lead from the first quarter and never looked back. The 74% from two-point range and 58% from three-point range in the first half not only set up the easy victory, but improved over 80% and 65%, respectively, during the second half. The winning side finished with 75% from the field.
Up next is Italy on Wednesday. The upcoming opponents will play for first place and to carry a 3-0 W-L record instead of a 2-1 tally to the second round.
“The third game in our group is going to be the crucial one” said Sasha Djordjevic in the post-game press conference. “We can still improve in every aspect of the game. You can always be better.”
For the losing side, Jaymar Perez finished with a team-high 16 points. Paul Lee followed with 15 and afterwards confessed: “Serbia is too much for us. Serbia is the #1 team right now.”
Yeng Guiao’s national team dropped to 0-2. Both the Gilas and Angola will move to the classification games crucial for a 2020 Olympics qualifiers berth, but will first collide in a couple of days.
“Serbia has a very good chance against USA and any of the top teams” the Philippines head coach pointed out after the match. “We could not stay close too long.”
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL