Giannis Leads Greece to Dominant Victory Over Dominican Republic
In a powerhouse performance, Giannis Antetokounmpo propelled Greece to a commanding 109-82 win against the Dominican Republic in the Group B stage of the Olympic qualifying tournament held in Piraeus, Greece. Antetokounmpo's impeccable display saw him net 32 points in just 19 minutes, a feat that left spectators in awe.
Antetokounmpo was virtually unstoppable, making all 11 of his field goal attempts, going 9-of-13 from the free-throw line, and nailing his only three-point attempt. "Giannis loves to be here. He loves to represent his country. He's very humble. He's part of the team. For a superstar you don't find this easy... He's about winning," Vassilis Spanoulis commended the NBA superstar's dedication.
Thomas Walkup added significant support with an impressive 17-point contribution, ensuring Greece maintained a comfortable lead. The team asserted their dominance by leading the game by as many as 27 points. Greece must now focus on their upcoming game against Egypt on Thursday; a victory there would secure their advance to the semifinal round of the tournament.
Global Qualifiers in Full Swing
The Olympic qualifiers in Greece form part of a broader set of competitions taking place in Latvia, Puerto Rico, and Spain. These tournaments will determine the four remaining participants for the men’s basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Group play across all venues is set to conclude on Thursday, with semifinal matches on Saturday and championship games on Sunday.
New Zealand and Croatia Battle in Group A
In a thrilling Group A clash in Piraeus, New Zealand narrowly edged past Croatia with a 90-86 victory. Corey Webster and Shea Ili were instrumental for New Zealand, scoring 21 and 18 points, respectively. Ili's decisive layup in the final minute secured the win and underscored the team's resilience. "It was a gutsy win for our team," remarked Reuben Te Rangi, reflecting the determination that drove their performance.
Despite Croatia’s effort, which saw Ivica Zubac put up a remarkable 29 points and 16 rebounds while Dario Saric and Mario Hezonja made significant contributions, the outcome was a narrow loss. Croatia remains in contention for the semifinals, provided Slovenia does not defeat New Zealand by 21 points or more. Commenting on the game, Saric noted, "It was a tough spot playing after an emotional win over Slovenia. We were hoping we'd be on a level and push the game in our direction. But today wasn't the case."
Montenegro Clinches Victory Over Cameroon
In Riga, Latvia, Montenegro managed to secure a 70-66 victory against Cameroon. Montenegro showcased a balanced team effort with five players scoring in double figures. Marko Simonovic led the team with 18 points and six rebounds, while Nikola Vucevic added 11 points and 14 rebounds. The team's efficiency at the free-throw line, where they made 20 out of 24 attempts, played a crucial role in their success.
On Cameroon’s side, Fabien Quentin Philibert Ateba and Jordan Bayehe each put up 14 points. Despite their valiant effort, Montenegro led 32-29 at halftime and managed to maintain their lead until the final whistle.
Bahamas Advances in Valencia
The Bahamas continued their impressive run in Valencia, Spain, advancing to the knockout round with a strong performance. Valdez Edgecombe Jr. led the charge with 21 points, supported by Deandre Ayton, who scored 18 points and recorded nine rebounds. Buddy Hield also had a pivotal role, contributing 17 points and 10 assists. The Bahamas' sharpshooting from beyond the arc, making 13 three-pointers, and their exceptional teamwork, recording 24 assists on 31 field goals, were key elements in their unbeaten 2-0 record in Group B.
Philippines and Spain Secure Wins
The Philippines emerged victorious over Latvia with an 89-80 win. Justin Brownlee's near triple-double performance, consisting of 26 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, stood out. Kai Sotto also made a significant impact, scoring 18 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Despite Latvia trimming a 21-point deficit in the fourth quarter to 10 points, the Philippines held on for the win. Latvia’s Rodions Kurucs contributed 18 points in the effort.
In a closely contested game, Spain overcame Angola by an 89-81 margin. Santiago Aldama was the top scorer for Spain with 24 points, while Willy Hernangomez added a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. For Angola, Jilson Bango impressed with 15 points and nine rebounds. Angola now faces a crucial match against Lebanon to determine their fate in advancing to the knockout round alongside Spain.