 |
| Bogdan Bogdanovic shows a 5-0 sign after stunning Canada in the FIBA World Cup semis. Kennelf Monteza |
PASAY--Playing against arguably the most talented roster Canada has built for a FIBA tournament, fans thought Serbia would at least have a hard time taking them down, especially in a semifinal game.
Serbia proved otherwise.
Serbia showed on Friday night that it can beat a team loaded with NBA players, stunning Canada, 95-86, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The defense set the tone early on for Serbia as they held Canada to just 15 points in the first quarter while eventually opening a 52-39 cushion at halftime.
Canada tried to keep in step in the second half, but Serbia sustained the flow they set in the first half to seal the win.
Bogdan Bogdanovic led Serbia, which will play in the final on Sunday night, with 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting including 3-of-4 from long range, four rebounds, three assists, three steals, and one block.
He now holds the record for the most career threes made in the FIBA World Cup in the past 30 years with 69 and counting.
Nikola Milutinov and Ognjen Dobric each added 16 points, with Milutinov going 6-for-6 from the field.
Nikola Jovic was also perfect from the field with a 4-of-4 clip for eight points along with one rebound and one assist.
RJ Barrett put up 23 points, three rebounds, two assists, and one steal to lead Canada, which will play in the bronze medal game also on Sunday night.
Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno
.jpg)
