Angola big man Bruno Fernando. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—The 2023 Fiba World Cup hasn’t been exactly kind to Angola but big man Bruno Fernando is taking the good with the bad in the process.
After the Angolans dropped their first classification game to China, 107-89, at Araneta Coliseum on Thursday, Atlanta Hawks center Fernando said he will bring lessons learned from the global competition to the NBA.
“Most definitely [learned things]. Obviously, very different rules here but it’s still the game of basketball. It’s still about putting the ball in the hoop, playing defense and getting stops so it doesn’t really change much on that side,” said Fernando after finishing with 16 points and six rebounds in the loss.
“It’s pretty great here [World Cup]. Every team comes out trying to compete and that’s the most important thing. Obviously a lot of great players out here too.”
Fernando is barely getting the spotlight in Atlanta, posting just 3.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game last season.
The 6-foot-10 big, however, is flourishing in the World Cup despite Angola’s misfortunes with averages of 14 markers and 5.3 rebounds after four games.
He was a problem for Gilas Pilipinas in their first round group phase showdown with 14 points and seven rebounds, outworking the Philippines’ bigs June Mar Fajardo, AJ Edu, Japeth Aguilar and Kai Sotto.
Fernando, however, had a few words of encouragement for Sotto, an aspiring NBA player at 21.
“Work. Just keep working. Dreams come true,” Fernando said.
Angola can finish with a 2-3 record after the classification phase when it faces South Sudan on Saturday at the same venue.