LIVE UPDATES: Fiba World Cup second round, classification phase

Sixteen teams–eight in Manila–have punched their tickets to the second round of the ongoing Fiba World Cup in three Asian cities–Manila, Jakarta, and Okinawa.

Qualified teams in Manila are Serbia, Dominican Republic, Italy, Puerto Rico (Group I); USA, Lithuania, Montenegro and Greece (Group J).

The bottom two teams per group after the first round, which included home team Gilas Pilipinas, play in the classification phase for seal their final placing in the group meet.

Olympics not yet the focus as Steve Kerr, Team USA hellbent on Fiba World Cup gold

The United States may have secured its spot in next year’s Olympics, but coach Steve Kerr is not thinking about that just yet.

While the Americans made sure they will be playing on another grand basketball stage next year, Kerr would like to focus on the current challenge of leading his team to the Fiba World Cup championship despite a less star-studded, NBA-filled roster.

The loss to Lithuania on Sunday night didn’t put a dent in Team USA’s title bid at this point in the tournament, but it did expose flaws heading into the knockout phase starting Tuesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

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Bogdan Bogdanovic redeems self with perfect shooting for Serbia

Bogdan Bogdanovic rediscovered his shooting touch when it mattered most on Sunday.

After shooting 1-of-13 from the three-point line in their tough 78-76 loss to Italy on Friday, Bogdanovic made all of his seven shots en route to a 20-point effort in just three quarters to propel Serbia past the Dominican Republic, 112-79, and into the Fiba World Cup quarterfinals.

“I said after that night against Italy, that it is not possible [for me] to shoot 1-of-13 again from three,” the Atlanta Hawks told reporters.

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‘Targeted’ Austin Reaves shrugs off defensive criticisms

Austin Reaves played his worst game so far in Manila for the Fiba World Cup on Sunday night as Team USA fell to Lithuania to wrap up its group phase campaign.

Reaves couldn’t get anything going all game on both ends, with hot-shooting Lithuania drawing him into the post and punishing the Americans with the mismatches that led to him fouling out with over two minutes left.

The Manila crowd-favorite guard took on guys almost twice his size in the paint and gave Lithuania another layer to its thriving offense aside from its exceptional shooting that buried Team USA early with a 21-point deficit.

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Jonas Valanciunas relishes Lithuania’s first win over Team USA since 2004

Jonas Valanciunas hailed the performance put up by Lithuania in scoring a massive win over the United States at the conclusion of the Fiba World Cup’s second round action on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Lithuanians prevailed 110-104, much to the astonishment of a predominantly pro-Team USA crowd to sweep  the first two rounds and giving the Americans a huge concern going into the quarterfinals.

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Steve Kerr finds silver lining in Team USA loss to Lithuania

Coach Steve Kerr opted to put a silver lining to Team USA’s 110-104 loss to Lithuania in a shock result that wrapped up the second round action of the Fiba World Cup on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.

“I like the game. I like what happened tonight,” Kerr said in the postgame press conference to digest what went wrong for the Americans in a matchup between teams already assured of quarterfinal berths.

Team USA fell behind early behind Lithuania’s efficient three-point shooting and its size advantage, and was forced to play catch up the rest of the way, leaving a dent in its hopes of winning back the World Cup.

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Fiba World Cup: Italy coach notches history but won’t compare team to old Azzurri

Gianmarco Pozzecco has been a part of multiple fabled Italian national teams as a player. He became a part of another on Sunday night—this time, as a coach.

The animated mentor steered the Azzurri to a 73-57 rout of Puerto Rico to book a spot in the 2023 Fiba World Cup’s quarterfinals—the country’s first in 25 years.

“I love my players. They’re amazing,” he said shortly after the win at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

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Fiba World Cup: schedule of games September 3 (PH time)

SECOND ROUND:

• Group I (at Manila): Italy vs. Puerto Rico (4pm), Dominican Republic vs. Serbia (8pm). Winners to the quarterfinals, losers eliminated.
• Group J (at Manila): Greece vs. Montenegro (4:40pm), U.S. vs. Lithuania (8:40pm). Greece and Montenegro are playing their finales, the U.S. and Lithuania both have clinched quarterfinal spots.
• Group K (at Okinawa): Australia vs. Georgia (3:30pm), Germany vs. Slovenia (7:10pm). Australia and Georgia will not be moving on, Germany and Slovenia will play quarterfinal games in Manila on Wednesday.
• Group L (at Jakarta): Brazil vs. Latvia (5:45pm), Spain vs. Canada (9:30pm). The winners move on. The losers do not.

Team USA falls to Lithuania at Fiba World Cup, still qualifies for Paris Olympics

Team USA is going to the Paris Olympics next summer. Lithuania made sure that was the only good development for the Americans on Sunday night, when it pulled off a Fiba World Cup stunner.

Vaidas Kariniauskas scored 15 points, Mindaugas Kuzminskas added 14 and Lithuania beat the U.S. 110-104 in a second-round game at the World Cup.

Serbia crushes Dominican Republic to reach Fiba World Cup quarterfinals

Serbia vented its ire on the Dominican Republic with a lopsided 112-79 win to move on to the Fiba World Cup final phase on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Licking the wounds of their first loss at the hands of Italy, 76-78, two nights ago, the Serbians came out firing in their do-or-die game, showing no mercy to the Karl-Anthony Towns-led Dominicans.

Latvia routs Brazil, advances to Fiba World Cup quarterfinals

Latvia’s fairytale ride showed no trace of slowing down after trampling on trophy contender Brazil, 104-84, on Sunday night at the Indonesia Arena in Jakarta to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

With an unrecognized cast that kept on deflating the egos of countries powered by high-profile lineups, the Latvians needed only a colossal surge in the third quarter to book that plane trip going to Manila for the pivotal knockout stages.

Nikola Vucevic leads Montenegro past Greece to end Fiba World Cup stint

Montenegro wrapped up its campaign on a high note after prevailing over Greece, 73-69, on Sunday in the Fiba World Cup at Mall of Asia Arena.

Nikola Vucevic scored 19 points, including six in a row at some point near the stretch that sealed the result in favor of the European side in only its second appearance on the world stage.

Gilas’ Scottie Thompson offers no excuse after subpar Fiba World Cup showing

Scottie Thompson said his previous injury had nothing to do with his underwhelming performance in the Fiba World Cup 2023.

Thompson provided quality 20 minutes with four points, four rebounds, and four assists in Gilas Pilipinas’ 96-75 win over China to end their home World Cup stint in high spirits on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Italy books Fiba World Cup quarterfinals return after 25 years

Giampaolo Ricci came to the rescue in the fourth quarter as Italy overcame Puerto Rico, 73-57, and booked its first Fiba World Cup quarterfinals appearance in 25 years on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ricci scored 10 of his 15 points in the payoff period to help Italy pull away in the fourth quarter with an 11-point lead, 68-57, and put away the game with 2:21 remaining . They reach the final phase for the first time since 1998 when their coach Gianmarco Pozzecco was still playing for the team.

Gilas Pilipinas earns ticket for Paris Olympics qualifiers

Gilas Pilipinas is still in contention for the 2024 Paris Olympics as it earned a ticket to the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) after ending its Fiba World Cup with a 96-75 win over China on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Despite missing the chance to be the best Asian team for an outright berth to Paris next year, the Philippines finished 13th out of the 16 next best-ranked teams that haven’t secured a ticket to the Olympics yet.

No longer ‘Dream Team,’ Team USA carries chip on its shoulder

Tyrese Haliburton seems to always find himself being put on the spot in the Fiba (International Basketball Federation) World Cup.

After dealing with questions about a controversial take by a fellow American athlete questioning the legitimacy of National Basketball Association (NBA) titleholders being called world champions, Haliburton was asked about the idea that this current Team USA pales in comparison to American national squads before.

Gilas coach Chot Reyes: I’ll answer bashers, but face-to-face

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes said he will answer all criticisms his bashers have thrown at him as long as they talk to him face-to-face even as he lamented how the hate directed at him affected the morale of his players in the Fiba World Cup.

“The people don’t realize, for me, the booing before the games, that’s okay, I’m used to it. I even clapped when they booed tonight,” said Reyes, referring to a big part of the 11,000 fans who booed him anew in their final game against China at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

‘Favorite’ Abando reveals mixed feelings after Gilas routs China

MANILA, Philippines — Rhenz Abando bore mixed emotions Saturday night.

He was happy that Gilas Pilipinas finally won a game in the Fiba World Cup 2023—that he had a great outing was a welcome bonus. But he also felt a tinge of regret that the team did not play as well in its first four games.

Gilas win is icing on the cake for birthday boy Dwight Ramos

MANILA, Philippines — It was a double celebration for Dwight Ramos, who turned 25 years old on Saturday night.

Ramos celebrated his birthday by helping Gilas Pilipinas end its Fiba World Cup 2023 campaign with a win in front of his family, which was among the 11,000 fans at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Fiba World Cup: Lebanon spoils Hamed Haddadi’s final game for Iran

MANILA, Philippines-Lebanon will go home in high spirits at the end of its 2023 Fiba World Cup stint following a feel-good 81-73 win over Iran on Saturday night at the Indonesia Arena in Jakarta.

Wael Arakji scored 21 points and Ali Haidar added 20 as the Lebanese picked up their second victory in the classification phase after dropping all three matches in the opening group stage.

Jordan Clarkson says Gilas teammates, fans paved way for 34-point performance

MANILA, Philippines — Jordan Clarkson attributed his best game in a Gilas Pilipinas jersey to his teammates and the frenetic Filipino fans at Araneta Coliseum on Saturday night.

Clarkson fired 24 of his Fiba career-high 34 points in a blistering third-quarter display, highlighted by five triples, to propel Gilas past China, 96-75, in the Fiba World Cup.

Chot Reyes says it time to ‘step aside’ as Gilas Pilipinas coach

National coach Chot Reyes said that he is stepping down as Gilas Pilipinas head coach.

“I hate using the word resign because I am not a quitter. I would like to emphasize to everyone who is asking for that,” he said on the heels of the Philippines’ 96-75 win over China in the 2023 Fiba World Cup on Saturday night. “But at the same time, I signed up to do a job and we did not deliver the result. So I think it’s time to step aside and allow the SBP (Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas) to make a decision for the good of the team and the program.”

Jordan Clarkson catches fire as Gilas beats China, ends Fiba World Cup with win

MANILA, Philippines–Christmas sort of got going in the country a few days ago, and Gilas Pilipinas on Saturday night to add to the revelries.

The Filipinos, saving their best for last, dismantled China, 96-75, behind Jordan Clarkson’s third-quarter explosion to end their 2023 Fiba World Cup homestand on a winning note.

Gilas Pilipinas came out the gates hard, and for a change, kept it together until the final horn at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, to the delight of over 11,000 spectators.

Live updates: Gilas Pilipinas vs China

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Fiba World Cup debutant South Sudan books first-ever trip to Olympics

MANILA, Philippines—Carlik Jones delivered another historic performance as South Sudan booked its first-ever Olympics berth after dominating Angola, 101-78, in their final game in the Fiba World Cup 2023 on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Jones poured in 26 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and dished out 15 assists to tie the most assists in a single game by Croatia’s Toni Kukoc in the 1994 World Cup.

Latvia coach wary after downing Spain at Fiba World Cup

Latvia head coach Luca Banchi warned his players to beware of “fake friends” after they added defending champions Spain to their giant-killing conquests at the Fiba World Cup on Friday.

The tournament debutants stunned world and European champions Spain 74-69 in their second-round opener in Jakarta, after beating Tokyo Olympics silver-medallists France in the group stage.

Fiba World Cup: Austin Reaves, Team USA dig deeper vs Montenegro

MANILA, Philippines–Austin Reaves has made at least one three-pointer in each of Team USA’s games in Manila for the Fiba World Cup.

But it was only until Friday that his triple made all the difference with Team USA finally getting its first real test in this year’s global meet against the Nikola Vucevic-led Montenegro in the second round.

Ex-San Miguel import John Holland happy with Manila return

MANILA, Philippines —Puerto Rico’s John Holland, a former San Miguel Beermen import, is relishing his return to Manila where he is having a much better showing compared to his last game in the country four years ago.

Holland made  big shot to keep Puerto Rico in contention for the Fiba World Cup 2023 final phase, overcoming the Dominican Republic, 102-97, on Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Japan takes pole position in Fiba World Cup Olympic race

Japan took a giant step toward Olympic qualification at the Basketball World Cup on Thursday, while South Sudan and Egypt also gave themselves a chance at a Paris Games berth.

Half of the World Cup’s 32 teams have already been eliminated from title contention, but seven Olympic places are still up for grabs at the tournament.

Tough win over Montenegro makes Team USA better, says Steve Kerr

MANILA, Philippines-Coach Steve Kerr feels that the challenging win over Montenegro will only make Team USA better heading into the quarterfinals of the Fiba World Cup.

The United States prevailed, 85-73, at Mall of Asia Arena on Friday, but not after spending most of the game trying to solve Montenegro’s size advantage before pulling away in the latter stages that kept the team’s unbeaten slate in the tournament.

Fiba World Cup: Coach takes blame for Dominicans’ defeat in ‘game of the devil’

Coach Nestor Garcia took the blame after the Dominican Republic’s loss in the 2023 Fiba World Cup on Friday night put an end to the team’s three-game winning run in the tournament.

“I know we suffer too much with this defeat,” he said after a 102-97 heartbreaker at the hands of Puerto Rico at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Nikola Vucevic proud of Montenegro’s ‘great fight’ vs Team USA

MANILA, Philippines-Nikola Vucevic is proud of how Montenegro was able to almost push the United States to the limit before bowing out of contention for a quarterfinals slot in the Fiba World Cup.

Montenegro fell 85-73 on Friday at Mall of Asia Arena, but not before capitalizing on its size and playing deliberately to give the Americans their first real scare after sweeping the first round by a combined winning margin of 103.

Gilas battles China looking to regain respect and whatever’s left of Olympics quest

With what has already been a grim Fiba World Cup campaign stacked upon the growing deluge of public vitriol, national coach Chot Reyes chose to be vulnerably honest.

“Obviously, we’re very, very down. There’s nothing else we can say, right? The morale is really low,” he said on the heels of an 87-68 loss to South Sudan on Thursday night that took the Filipinos out of the Paris Olympic picture for the time being.

Luka Doncic-led Slovenia, Germany book Manila trip for Fiba World Cup quarterfinals

Luka Doncic and Slovenia are headed to the Fiba World Cup quarterfinals. So are the U.S., Germany and Lithuania.

Out of the mix: Olympic bronze medalist Australia.

Fiba World Cup: Italy’s Luigi Datome rediscovers touch, vows to ‘keep on shooting’

Luigi Datome was thrilled over the timing of his return to form as he helped Italy upset Serbia, 78-76, in the Fiba World Cup 2023 second round on Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Simone Fontecchio unleashed 30 points on 11-of-15 shooting from the field and grabbed seven rebounds to lead the Azzurri’s comeback from a 16-point deficit in the third quarter.

PLithuania joins Team USA in quarterfinals with win over Greece

Lithuania secured its place in the quarterfinals ahead of the big game against the United States after a 92-67 win over Greece on Friday in the Fiba World Cup at Mall of Asia Arena.

NBA draft pick Rokas Jokubaitis and Ignas Brazdeikis were among those who helped the Lithuanians pull away in the second half and remain unbeaten in the tournament with their fourth victory in as many games.

Puerto Rico topples Karl-Anthony Towns, Dominican Republic for crucial win

John Holland drained the go-ahead triple as Puerto Rico overcame Karl-Anthony Towns and the Dominican Republic, 102-97, in the Fiba World Cup second round on Friday evening at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Holland made the Dominicans pay by knocking down the open triple off an assist from Tremont Waters for a 98-95 with 31.1 ticks to go.

Coach Gianmarco Pozzecco dedicates Italy win to Manny Pacquiao

Coach Gianmarco Pozzecco dedicated Italy’s come-from-behind 78-76 win over Serbia in the Fiba World Cup second round to Manny Pacquiao.

Pozzecco, who has been asking to meet Pacquiao since he arrived in Manila last week, got his wish granted after the eight-division world boxing champion invited him to his house in Forbes Park, Makati on the eve of their match against Serbia.

AJ Edu emerges as Gilas Pilipinas’ most solid big man

Despite the Gilas Pilipinas’ disappointing Fiba World Cup 2023 campaign, AJ Edu continues to emerge as one of the home team’s consistent big men.

He put up his best outing of 12 points and 14 rebounds only for Gilas to fall to South Sudan, 87-68, in their classification match on Thursday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Fontecchio, Italy boost quarters chances with comeback win over Serbia

Simone Fontecchio unleashed 30 points as Italy stunned Serbia with a come-from-behind 78-76 win to boost its chances of reaching the Fiba World Cup 2023 final phase on Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Azzurri fought back from 16 points down in the third quarter led by Fontecchio and Luigi Datome, who scored 10 consecutive points, conspiring in a 17-2 rally that cut the deficit to one heading into the fourth quarter.

Gilas falls to South Sudan as outright Olympics bid ends too

MANILA, Philippines-Jordan Clarkson promised that Gilas Pilipinas would leave it all on the floor on Thursday night. The Philippines did just that, only it was still not enough to beat South Sudan.

Gilas fought back from 21 points down but crumpled when it mattered most, bowing to the Bright Stars, 87-68, in the classification round of the 2023 Fiba World Cup.

FINAL SCORE: Gilas Pilipinas vs South Sudan (classification)

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Edu lobs it to Sotto! Gilas within four, 60-56, with 7:28 left. #FIBAWC | @LanceAgcaoilINQ

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) August 31, 2023

https://twitter.com/INQUIRERSports/status/1697229694490579106?s=20

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END OF 1ST QUARTER: South Sudan 34, Gilas 17 #FIBAWC | @LanceAgcaoilINQ

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) August 31, 2023

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Here are the Gilas starters: Aguilar, Edu, Clarkson, Ramos, Abando South Sudan: Gabriel, Omot, Jones, Kuany, Shayok #FIBAWC classification phase | @LanceAgcaoilINQ

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) August 31, 2023

Final score: Mexico vs New Zealand (classification)

China gets first win, beats Angola to put more pressure on Gilas’ Olympic bid

MANILA, Philippines — China took down Angola, 83-76, to finally earn its first win in the Fiba World Cup 2023 and jumpstart its classification phase campaign on a high note on Thursday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The breakthrough victory of the Chinese that ended their three-game skid also put Gilas Pilipinas’ Olympics hopes in limbo ahead of their duel on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

China joined Japan as the only Asian teams with a win in the Fiba World Cup so far as the Chinese improved to a 1-3 record in Group M, tying Angola

Final score: China vs Angola (classification)

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END OF 3RD QUARTER: China 69, Angola 59

China is a quarter away from bagging its first win. #FIBAWC | @LanceAgcaoilINQ

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) August 31, 2023

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END OF 1ST QUARTER: Angola 27, China 24 #FIBAWC Classification phase | @LanceAgcaoilINQ

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) August 31, 2023

Fight very much alive in Gilas as it tries to keep Olympic hopes up

Jordan Clarkson was not interested in crunching the math to determine Gilas Pilipinas’ next opponents in the 2023 Fiba (International Basketball Federation) World Cup.

He knows what the coming games mean to the national squad.

“We’re strong mentally and we’re gonna [get] it together and try to get these [next] two [games]. We know what it means and what it means for the country,” he said on the heels of a 90-83 loss to Italy at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday night.

China not quitters, says Kyle Anderson as match vs Gilas Pilipinas looms

MANILA, Philippines–Kyle Anderson knows China will have its work cut out for itself when the Asian heavyweights chase their goals in the 2023 Fiba World Cup’s classification stage.

Team Dragons’ 107-89 loss to Puerto Rico on Wednesday night sets up a clash with host Gilas Pilipinas in the classification round of the global showcase.

“It’s going to be an intense environment. They’re a really good team and they’ve got some good players over there and have their crowd on their side. It’s going to be a tough but fun environment,” he said shortly after the loss at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City

Anthony Edwards confident of Team USA second round sweep

MANILA, Philippines–Anthony Edwards expressed confidence that Team USA can hurdle the next challenge of its Fiba World Cup campaign: facing Montenegro and Lithuania in the second round.

The Americans swept Group C after a 110-62 rout of Jordan at Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday in a lopsided affair that served as a preparation of sorts for the second round action which starts two days from now.

“I think we’re going to win,” Edwards said before the post-match press conference concluded. “We’re unbeaten and I think we got a great chance of winning. We got a great coaching staff, we got great players and our confidence is at an all-time high, so we’re not really worried about those guys.”

First real test awaits Team USA in Fiba World Cup second round

MANILA, Philippines—After unsurprisingly dusting off its competition in the group phase, Team USA expects to face stiffer challenge in the second round of the Fiba World Cup.

The Americans on Tuesday played like the favorites that they are and were just on a much different level than the Jordanians, on their way to a 110-62 victory at Mall of Asia Arena.

The wire-to-wire win capped a sweep of Group C, which the United States dominated by an average winning margin of 34, following blowouts over New Zealand and Greece

Jordan Clarkson braces for ‘different’ China in Fiba World Cup classification

MANILA, Philippines-Gilas Pilipinas’ loss to Italy in the Fiba World Cup Group A play Tuesday night has put cohost Philippines on a collision course with an old tormentor in China.

The last two nations met in the 2018 Asian Games held in Indonesia with Jordan Clarkson anchoring a Gilas Pilipinas crew replete with PBA stars and coached by the fiery Yeng Guiao.

“What was that, two, three years ago? Oh, that was five years ago? I’m getting old,” a chuckling Clarkson said of the matchup, which will be finalized after Wednesday’s Group B contests.

Slovenia, Puerto Rico and Greece complete Fiba World Cup second round

Slovenia, Puerto Rico and Greece picked up victories Wednesday at the basketball World Cup to complete the field of 16 teams for the second round.

Slovenia defeated Cape Verde 92-77, led by 19 points from NBA star Luka Doncic. Puerto Rico routed winless China 107-89 behind 22 points from former NBA player Tremont Waters. Greece defeated New Zealand 83-74 with 27 points from Ioannis Papapetrou.

Earlier in the day, Serbia, Georgia and Brazil also reached the second round. Serbia defeated South Sudan 115-83 with 25 points from 20-year-old Nikola Jovic. Georgia topped Venezuela 70-59 behind 25 points from Tornike Shengelia. Brazil beat Ivory Coast 89-77 with Yago Santos scoring 24 points and adding 12 assists.

Ten teams had already advanced: the Dominican Republic, Australia, Italy, Spain, the United States, Canada, Germany, Lativa, Lithuania and Montenegro.