Lithuania’s Jonas Valanciunas in opposition to Slovenia’s Luka Doncic in a Fiba World Cup classification recreation. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.web
MANILA, Philippines — Jonas Valanciunas dropped a double-double to guide the balanced assault of Lithuania to trounce the Luka Doncic-led Slovenia, 100-84, and advance to the Battle for fifth of the Fiba World Cup 2023 on Thursday at Mall of Asia Enviornment.
The 6-foot-11 Valanciunas imposed his will contained in the paint with 24 factors and 12 rebounds for an opportunity to place the Lithuanians at fifth place once they tackle Latvia on Saturday night.
“We’re taking part in for the followers, We’re taking part in for the individuals, who got here right here to help us. We’re not gonna hand over these two video games. Most likely, don’t imply an excessive amount of however we’re combating for our individuals, our nation,” Valanciunas instructed reporters.
“Everyone performed laborious. Everyone contributed. Everyone gave all the things on the court docket. We’re nonetheless gonna play our basketball, our identification. Yet one more recreation left,” he added.
The Lithuanians held Doncic to 1-of-10 capturing within the second half. The Dallas Mavericks star’s solely area aim got here from a trey within the remaining 34 seconds of the sport.
Slovenia captain Luka Doncic. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.web
The Slovenian captain completed with 29 factors — 19 from the primary half — to go along with six rebounds, three steals, and two assists as his workforce suffered its third straight loss within the World Cup regardless of being a crowd favourite in Manila.
Ignas Brazdeikis was instrumental in Lithuania’s win with 15 factors on 3-of-4 three-point capturing. Mindaugas Kuzminskas and Deividas Sirvydis chipped in 14 markers every whereas Vaidas Kariniauskas dished out 10 assists.
Lithuania bounced again from a troublesome 87-68 loss to Serbia within the quarterfinals. It unleashed a 14-2 run from the tip of the third to the final seven minutes of the sport capped by Sirvydis’ triple to push the lead t 21 factors, 86-65, and by no means seemed again.
“It was powerful up there as much as the final recreation. However we discovered vitality, we discovered the braveness to return out and play laborious,” Valanciunas stated.
Slovenia allowed its opponent to attain 100 factors for the third straight time.
Aleksej Nikolic had 14 factors for the Slovenians. Mike Tobey chipped in 13 factors and 9 rebounds, whereas Zoran Dragic added 12 markers.
Doncic will play his final recreation at MOA Enviornment when Slovenia tries to take the seventh place in opposition to Italy on Saturday.
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