By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
MANILA, Philippines – The moment all Italian basketball fans have been waiting for 25 years has finally arrived: the Azzurri beat Puerto Rico 73-57 to qualify for the 2023 FIBA World Cup Quarter-Finals, where they will face one between Team USA and Lithuania.
Straight from the beginning of the game, Stefano Tonut was the offensive spark Italy needed, off the dribble and attacking the game on the baseline, ending with 15. Powering his national team on the glass, Nicolò Melli grabbed 8 offensive rebounds – 12 in total.
Gigi Datome provided 11 points with 3/5 from deep in his 200th game with the Azzurri jersey. Giampaolo Ricci was vital with 15 points, and Simone Fontecchio concluded a rough shooting night (5/16 FG) with a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds.
“We are happy, we knew this game was crucial for us. We dreamed of being in the Top 8 of the World Cup. Puerto Rico has a lot of talent on offense, we risked complicating the game but in the end, we got it. We keep dreaming”, Giampaolo Ricci said in the post-game press conference. “My players love each other, they are really focused on what they’re doing. I asked them before the match: “Do you wanna continue?”, and they showed that on the court”, Gianmarco Pozzecco added.
Tremont Waters tried to keep Puerto Rico afloat, going close to a double-double with 13 points and 9 assists, and his backcourt mate Jordan Howard followed him with 11 points. Isaiah Pineiro had some good moments and ended with 9 points (5/5 FT) and 7 rebounds. George Conditt IV left the game in bad conditions with two minutes left.
“For us, it was about preparing in the right way. We expected it, but when you get the results it feels good. It’s an accomplishment”, Jordan Howard said in the post-game press conference about their three wins. “We accepted the challenge and tried to get the best out of this tournament. It’s tough when you lose like this. It’s time for reflection”, coach Nelson Colon added.
Living this thing is really emotional. We said to each other to live this thing every second. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions. I come from far away, these have been four years in which a lot of things happened. But even in the last fourteen. I’m happy to be a part of this family,
Emozionante essere qui, vivere questa cosa. Cìeravamo dettoi di vibere questa osa ogni secondo. Una montagna russa di emozioni. Sono emozionato, perché parto da lontano. Sono stati quattro anni in cui sono sccesse dtante cose. Sono felice di far parte di questa famitglia, perché veramente il, Mi sento fortunato, felice. Continuiamo a sognare e a emozionarci.
Ismael Romero started the game on a high note, scoring back-to-back buckets for the 4-0 lead. Stefano Tonut and Simone Fontecchio answered back with impressive attacks, taking Italy to the nine-point (13-4) lead with an 8-0 run with 6:01 on the clock. Tremont Waters has been balling since the beginning, trying to reduce the gap. However, Gianmarco Pozzecco’s team ended the opening quarter up 25-15.
Gabriele Procida entered the game and scored the first two Italian points of the second quarter with a jumper. Committing his third foul with 7:57 left until halftime, Alessandro Pajola exited the game earlier. Isaiah Pineiro put the Caribbeans back into contention with a 2+1 play to reduce the gap, and Italy fought to stay up, going to the locker room up 39-36 following a Tremont Waters’ buzzer-beater.
The second half began with two thunderous poster dunks first by Stefano Tonut, who dominated on the baseline, and George Conditt IV. After several misses from beyond the arc by Italy, Stephen Thompson finally gave Puerto Rico the lead at 43-41 from the corner at 4:37 left in the third. Following what looked like a very tense quarter – with Italy winning it only 12-11 -, Italy found the three-point shot once again, staying ahead 51-47 despite Jordan Howard’s deep three to close it.
Gigi Datome opened the fourth clutch from three, and with an 8-0 run, the Italian national team went away. Luca Severini gave Gianmarco Pozzecco’s team the 13-point lead (63-50) after stealing the ball from Isaiah Pineiro with 5:43 minutes left. From then on, the Azzurri never turned their back, securing a spot in the Quarter-Finals of the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
PHOTO CREDIT: 2023 FIBA World Cup
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