Serbia’s Bogdan Bogdanovic during a game against China in the Fiba World Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Cool, calm and collected. That’s how Serbia was in a 42-point romp over China in Group B action of the 2023 Fiba World Cup at Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
It’s easy to attribute the Serbs’ easy win to Bogdan Bogdanovic’s 14 points but there was something more remarkable in the win other than the NBA veteran’s performance.
Their ball movement did wonders for coach Svetislav Pešić with 30 assists on 34 made field goals against only 12 turnovers.
“I think we played well, especially in the second half. First games are always hard so I’m just happy that we won the game,” said Bogdanovic after Serbia’s 105-63 rout.
“We moved the ball really well and I’m just proud of the way we played and how we moved the ball.”
Sharing the ball to perfection, every player for Serbia scored with Vanja Marinkovic also posting 14.
Serbia also shot 57 percent from the field, including 13-of-28 from long range, while limiting China to just 38 percent shooting.
Marko Guduric and Stefan Jovic took care of the playmaking duties with six assists each for the Group B favorites.
A veteran of international play, Bogdanovic knows how important it is to spread the wealth.
“In the World Cup, the best teams are the ones who move the ball well and know how to play the games to get the easy baskets.”