Antetokounmpo Shines as Greece Dominates Dominican Republic
Giannis Antetokounmpo demonstrated his exceptional skills, leading Greece to a commanding 109-82 victory over the Dominican Republic in the Group B stage of the Piraeus Olympic qualifying tournament. This performance not only solidifies Greece's position but also highlights Antetokounmpo's unwavering dedication to his national team.
In just 19 minutes on the court, Antetokounmpo delivered an astonishing 32 points. The Greek superstar, known for his relentless drive and efficiency, made all 11 of his field goal attempts and went 9-of-13 from the free-throw line. He capped off his perfect game with a successful three-pointer, further attesting to his outstanding offensive capabilities.
Vassilis Spanoulis had high praise for Antetokounmpo, stating, "Giannis loves to be here. He loves to represent his country. He's very humble. He's part of the team. For a superstar you don't find this easy. ... He's about winning." The camaraderie within the Greek team is evident, with Thomas Walkup also making significant contributions, adding 17 points to the scoreboard.
Greece's dominance was clear as they led by as many as 27 points during the match. The victory sets the stage for a crucial clash against Egypt on Thursday, with a win securing Greece's advancement to the semifinal round.
New Zealand's Narrow Escape
In Group A action in Piraeus, New Zealand managed to edge past Croatia with a tight 90-86 victory. Corey Webster and Shea Ili were instrumental, scoring 21 and 18 points, respectively. Ili's timely layup in the final minute of the game sealed the win for New Zealand.
Despite Croatia's offensive might, with Ivica Zubac delivering a stellar performance of 29 points and 16 rebounds, and significant contributions from Dario Saric and Mario Hezonja, New Zealand's resilience prevailed. Saric reflected on the game, saying, "It was a tough spot playing after an emotional win over Slovenia. We were hoping we'd be on a level and push the game in our direction. But today wasn't the case."
Croatia's previous 108-92 win over Slovenia and their four-point differential ensure their place in the semifinals, provided Slovenia doesn't defeat New Zealand by more than 21 points.
Montenegro's Gritty Performance
Montenegro showed their mettle with a hard-fought 70-66 victory over Cameroon in Riga, Latvia. Marko Simonovic led the charge with 18 points and six rebounds, while Nikola Vucevic added 11 points and 14 rebounds. Montenegro's balanced attack, featuring five players in double figures, was pivotal in their success.
Cameroon's Fabien Quentin Philibert Ateba and Jordan Bayehe fought valiantly, each scoring 14 points, but Montenegro's proficient free-throw shooting, hitting 20 out of 24 attempts, proved too much to overcome.
The Bahamas Impress in Valencia
In Valencia, Spain, the Bahamas advanced to the knockout round with a stellar performance led by Valdez Edgecombe Jr., who scored 21 points. Deandre Ayton and Buddy Hield also impressed, with Ayton contributing 18 points and nine rebounds, and Hield recording a double-double with 17 points and 10 assists. The Bahamas' efficient offense, which included 13 made three-pointers and 24 assists on 31 field goals, was the key to their success.
With a 2-0 record in Group B, the Bahamas await the outcome of the match between Poland and Finland to determine their semifinal opponent.
Philippines Overcome Latvia
The Philippines delivered a strong 89-80 victory over Latvia, fueled by Justin Brownlee's standout performance. Brownlee nearly achieved a triple-double with 26 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. Kai Sotto also made significant contributions, scoring 18 points and grabbing eight rebounds.
Despite Latvia's late-game surge, which saw them reduce a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit to 10 points, the Philippines held on to secure the win. Rodions Kurucs led Latvia with 18 points.
Spain Secures Victory Against Angola
In another decisive match, Spain defeated Angola 89-81, led by Santiago Aldama's 24 points and Willy Hernangomez's double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds. For Angola, Jilson Bango put up a valiant effort with 15 points and nine rebounds.
Angola now faces a must-win situation against Lebanon to advance to the knockout round alongside Spain. This series of qualifying tournaments, taking place in Greece, Latvia, Puerto Rico, and Spain, will ultimately determine the four participants in the men's basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Group play concludes on Thursday, with semifinal matches on Saturday and championship games on Sunday.