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| Stefano Tonut powers his way for the slam. FIBA |
QUEZON CITY--Italy is staying put in the Philippines for the rest of the FIBA World Cup after ripping Puerto Rico, 73-57, in their Round of 16 showdown on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Italy blasted off in the fourth quarter, outscoring Puerto Rico, 22-10, to pull away after the latter kept the game close in the second and third quarters.
Giampaolo Ricci and Stefano Tonut each scored 15 points for Italy, which will either face Lithuania or the United States in the quarterfinals on Tuesday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Simone Fontecchio, who was stellar in his first four games, was held to just 12 points, but he finished with a double-double after tallying 12 rebounds too.
Tremont Waters put up 13 points, two rebounds, nine assists, and one steal to lead Puerto Rico, but he also committed seven turnovers.
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