Behind the heroics of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dillon Brooks, a new world champion will be crowned in Manila as Canada pulled away late to eliminate defending titlist Spain, closing the second round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 with a score of 88-85 on Sunday at the Indonesia Arena in Jakarta.
The Road Warriors concluded the group phase with a 4-1 record, securing a berth in the Olympics for the first time since 2000. The win also marked Canada’s fourth victory against La Roja in both Olympic and FIBA play, with a win-loss record of 4-7.
Spain, on the other hand, bowed out of the tournament with a 3-2 record.
After La Roja’s Willy Hernangomez sank both free throws to extend the lead to three, 80-77, Brooks hit a clutch triple to tie the game, while Gilgeous-Alexander sank a step-back jumper to put the Road Warriors on top with 44 seconds remaining, 82-80.
The standout from the Oklahoma City Thunder and All-NBA First Team member sealed Canada’s trip to the quarterfinals with two free throws, giving them a two-possession lead with 21 seconds remaining, 84-80.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama made a triple to cut the lead to one with five seconds left, 85-88, but Gilgeous-Alexander’s free-throws paid dividends as Alex Abrines missed the game-tying triple, resulting in a final score of 85-88.
In the fourth quarter, the Road Warriors’ offense came alive when it was needed most, outscoring the reigning champions La Roja by 15 points, 27-12.
To begin the second half, Canada attempted a comeback with a 17-7 run, but Spain responded with a 14-point swing to gain a 12-point advantage heading into the final frame, 73-61.
“We faced a lot of adversity, we were down. We had to start from the bottom, and now we’re here in the quarterfinals. It was a win that we all had to come together for,” said Canadian head coach Jordi Fernandez.
Gilgeous-Alexander continued his stellar play in the global showcase with 30 points, seven boards, three assists, and three steals, while Houston Rockets forward Brooks scored 22 points on a 67-percent shooting clip, after only combining for 18 points in his past three outings.
New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett also had a productive night with 16 points and five assists, while Utah Jazz forward Kelly Olynyk, Dallas Mavericks big man Dwight Powell, and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker combined for 17 points.
Willy Hernangomez’s 25 points and six rebounds, coupled with Aldama’s 20-point performance, were not enough to send Spain to Manila to defend its crown. Atlanta Hawks center Usman Garuba tallied four points and five rebounds in the loss.
With the win, Canada emerged as Group L’s first seed, which booked them a date with Luka Doncic and Slovenia to open its quarterfinals bid on Wednesday, Sept. 6, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. (Ernest Martin Tuazon)
The Scores:
Canada (88) – Gilgeous-Alexander 30, Brooks 22, Barrett 16, Olynyk 6, Powell 6, Alexander-Walker 5, Alexander 0, Bell-Haynes 0
Spain (85) – W. Hernangomez 25, Aldama 20, Abrines 11, Brizuela 8, Garuba 4, J. Hernangomez 4, Nunez 4, Claver 3, Diaz 3, Fernandez 3, Llull 0
Quarterscores: 21-21, 38-48, 61-73, 88-85
