Luka Doncic ejected in first game in Manila at Fiba World Cup

Slovenia’s Luka Doncic heads off after receiving his second technical foul during the second half of a Basketball World Cup quarterfinal game against Canada in Manila, Philippines, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

MANILA, Philippines—Luka Doncic’s first game in Manila came to an abrupt end on Wednesday night.

With Slovenia down big, 92-77, Doncic got ejected with still 6:37 left in the game after picking up his second technical foul for arguing a non-call on a shot attempt against Canada’s Lu Dort.

Doncic finished with 26 points on 8-of-20 shooting from the field in close to 30 minutes of action. He had 25 through three quarters.

Canada, led by its own NBA star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, steamrolled Slovenia in the second half en route to a 100-89 win to secure a spot in the Fiba World Cup semifinals for the first time.

Gilgeous-Alexander outshone Doncic in their keenly-awaited duel, posting game-highs of 31 points and 10 rebounds.

The Canadians, who knocked off defending champion Spain in the second round in Jakarta before flying to Manila, battle Serbia on Friday for a ticket to the final.

Doncic got tossed just 29 seconds after Canada’s Dillon Brooks was ejected for taunting.

The 24-year-old Doncic was called for his first technical foul also for disputing a non-call at the five-minute mark of the second quarter.

The loss relegated Slovenia to the classification phase for the fifth to eighth places. The Slovenians take on Lithuania on Thursday.