By Ivan Saldajeno
PASAY--Fresh from helping the Toronto Raptors reach the NBA semifinals for the first time in franchise history, Cory Joseph was not done yet, exploding for 21 points in only three periods in Canada's FIBA OQT win against Turkey on Tuesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
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Coach Jay Triano had nothing but praises for the combo guard.
"Cory was outstanding.... His ability to use the pick and roll was very good," Triano told the media in the post-game press conference.
However, Joseph was held scoreless in the fourth by the Turkish side, which despite a lethargic game offensively still kept the match interesting till the end.
Also kept in check by Turkey was Tristan Thompson, whose Cleveland Cavaliers ironically beat the Raptors in the East Finals en route to their first NBA title. He only had ten points off 3-of-11 shooting.
"It was a tough game. We got a lot of respect in Turkish basketball and the team. They're well-coached," Triano said of his opponents.
Now a foot forward the knockout semifinals, Canada can secure the top seed in the playoffs with a win against Senegal on Wednesday night at the said venue.
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