By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
RAVENNA, Italy – The road to the 2023 FIBA World Cup continues on a positive note for Italy, getting the 5th consecutive win in preparation games by dismantling Puerto Rico 98-65. This was the last time the 35-year-old Gigi Datome played a basketball game in Italy.
On Gianmarco Pozzecco’s team, Simone Fontecchio led the way with 16 points in 16:47 minutes on the court of Pala De André. He was followed by Matteo Spagnolo, who had 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists, and by his newest ALBA Berlin teammate Gabriele Procida, who contributed with 16 points, 3 assists, and 4 steals. Gigi Datome ended his last-ever game on Italian soil with 5 points.
For Puerto Rico, the 26-year-old Ethan Thompson, who played alongside his brother Stephen – who finished with 10 points -, led the way in scoring with 14 points. Ismael Romero also had 6 points and 5 rebounds in the loss.
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Before the friendly game, the president of the Italian basketball federation Gianni Petrucci and his beloved teammate in Milan Nicolò Melli paid tribute to Gigi Datome, who will play his last-ever basketball tournament, the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
In Manila, the Italian national team coached by Gianmarco Pozzecco will face Angola, the Dominican Republic, and the Philippines, which are hosting the most anticipated tournament of the year, in Group A. They will also play the first game of the World Cup against the Angolan national team. Puerto Rico, instead, will have to deal with Serbia, China, and South Sudan in Group B.
The tribute for Gigi Datome before the Italian national team captain’s last-ever basketball game in Italy 🇮🇹💙 pic.twitter.com/32ndseZEnU
— Cesare Milanti (@cesaremilanti) August 13, 2023
PHOTO CREDIT: Italbasket