As the Olympic qualifying tournaments heat up, Giannis Antetokounmpo showcased his superstar abilities to lead Greece to a decisive 109-82 victory over the Dominican Republic in the Group B stage in Piraeus, Greece. The reigning NBA MVP delivered a stunning performance, scoring 32 points in just 19 minutes and demonstrating impeccable efficiency by making all 11 of his field goal attempts.
Antetokounmpo's dominance didn’t end there. He converted 9 of his 13 free throw attempts and sank his only three-point shot, bolstering Greece's hefty lead, which, at one point, peaked at a 27-point margin. Reflecting on Antetokounmpo's influence, Greece's coach Vassilis Spanoulis remarked, "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." Indeed, Antetokounmpo’s prowess is crucial as Greece faces a must-win game against Egypt to move forward to the semifinal round.
Thomas Walkup also contributed significantly, adding 17 points to Greece's tally. The team’s collective effort in the qualifying rounds is part of a larger, global series of tournaments being held concurrently in Latvia, Puerto Rico, and Spain. Ultimately, these tournaments will determine four of the participants in the men's basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics. All eyes are on the concluding group play on Thursday, with semifinal matches slated for Saturday and championship games on Sunday.
Elsewhere in the Tournament
New Zealand clinched a tightly contested win over Croatia with a 90-86 victory in Group A in Piraeus. Corey Webster and Shea Ili led New Zealand with 21 and 18 points, respectively, with Ili's crucial layup in the final minute sealing their win. Croatia's Ivica Zubac put up an impressive fight, scoring 29 points and grabbing 16 rebounds, with additional support from Dario Saric and Mario Hezonja. Even in defeat, Croatia’s four-point differential provided a glimmer of hope. They will advance to the semifinals if Slovenia fails to defeat New Zealand by 21 points or more, having previously trounced Slovenia 108-92.
Reflecting on their performance, Saric noted, "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."
Thrilling Matches in Latvia and Spain
Montenegro emerged victorious against Cameroon with a 70-66 win in Riga, Latvia. Marko Simonovic spearheaded Montenegro’s efforts with 18 points and six rebounds. Montenegro exhibited depth by having five players in double figures and maintained a slight lead of 32-29 at halftime. Nikola Vucevic contributed significantly, scoring 11 points and impressively securing 14 rebounds. Their proficiency at the free-throw line was notable, with 20 successful attempts out of 24.
Cameroon's Fabien Quentin Philibert Ateba and Jordan Bayehe each scored 14 points, but their efforts came up short against a resilient Montenegrin squad.
Meanwhile, in Valencia, Spain, the Bahamas continued their unbeaten run with a strong showing, securing their place in the knockout round. Valdez Edgecombe Jr. led the way with 21 points, while Deandre Ayton added 18 points and nine rebounds. The Bahamas showcased their sharpshooting, making 13 successful three-pointers and recording an impressive 24 assists on 31 field goals. Buddy Hield also played a crucial role, scoring 17 points and assisting 10 others. Holding a 2-0 record in Group B, the Bahamas wait to see who will join them in the semifinals after the face-off between Poland and Finland.
Impressive Performances by the Philippines and Spain
The Philippines secured an 89-80 victory over Latvia, thanks to a standout performance by Justin Brownlee, who scored 26 points and narrowly missed a triple-double with nine rebounds and nine assists. Kai Sotto contributed 18 points and eight rebounds to help fend off a late charge by Latvia, who cut a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit to 10 points. Rodions Kurucs led Latvia with 18 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Philippines.
Spain also clinched a victory, defeating Angola 89-81. Santiago Aldama led Spain with 24 points, while Willy Hernangomez added a valuable double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Jilson Bango's contribution of 15 points and nine rebounds for Angola was significant, but they still need a win against Lebanon to join Spain in the knockout round.
As the tournaments progress, fans around the world eagerly anticipate the results from these intense matchups, with national pride and Olympic dreams hanging in the balance.