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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Team USA reasserts might, ends Italy's dream run to clinch semis seat

Team USA reasserts might, ends Italy's dream run to clinch semis seat

Published Sep 5, 2023 02:30 pm

At A Glance

  • The No. 2-ranked Americans reasserted their might and got their title bid back on track, pouncing on the hapless Italy, 100-63, to advance to the semifinals of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena on Tuesday, Sept. 5.
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The stunning loss against Lithuania seemed to have poked the bear in Team USA.

The No. 2-ranked Americans reasserted their might and got their title bid back on track, pouncing on the hapless Italy, 100-63, to advance to the semifinals of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena on Tuesday, Sept. 5.

portis.jpg
Bobby Portis slammed the ball against Italian defense (Ali Vicoy/MB)

Team USA, whose ability to win the crown was put in question after dropping a 110-106 loss to the hard-fighting Lithuanian team, ended the dream run of the Azzurri right on the first half when Mikal Bridges presided over a 22-10 second quarter outburst of the Americans.

There was no looking back from there for Team USA as, despite already leading by as many as 22 points at the break, went on and even exploded for 37 points in the third quarter to break the game wide open.

Bridges couldn’t find a perfect time to catch fire from deep, drilling four triples on his way to 24 points while Tyrese Haliburton added 18 points and five assists.

Paolo Banchero, who first committed to play for Italy before withdrawing and joining Team USA, added eight points including a highlight alley-oop dunk off a between the legs pass from Haliburton to end the third quarter.

Simone Fontecchio led the way for Italy with 18 points although he just shot 2-of-8 from the three-point territory. Stefano Tonut chipped in 11 as the Italians fell short of at least replicating their best finish in the global showpiece when they claimed the fourth place twice in 1970 and 1978.

Interestingly, during those runs, Italy both defeated Team USA, 66-64, in 1970, and 81-80 in 1978 – something that the Azzurri cannot pull off against the mighty Americans this time around.

Still, this edition’s run was an improvement for Italy after it only finished 10th in China in 2019.

Related Tags

2023 FIBA World Cup
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