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

Montenegro’s Nikola Vucevic. -FIBA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines-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.

The Chicago Bulls center also had seven rebounds, two assists and two steals as Montenegro ended the tournament with a 3-2 record.

It was a huge improvement from 2019 as debutants when they lost four of five games in China.

Behind Vucevic, Montenegro qualified for the second round following victories over Egypt and Mexico in Group D before dropping the last game against Lithuania.

FIBA PHOTO

Montenegro was eliminated after an 85-73 loss to the United States, but after putting up a performance that nearly led to a shock upset.

Greece finished the World Cup at 2-3, losing all two games in the second round.
The team called Hellas, runner-up in the 2006 edition, came to the tourney without NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who opted out after undergoing surgery on his knee.

Ioannis Papapetrou scored 16 for Greece.