Serbia will not have Nemanja Bjelica and Nikola Kalinic when it takes on Gilas Pilipinas in the 2021 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade.
In an announcement barely an hour before tip-off, the Basketball Federation of Serbia (KSS) said that the veteran internationalists won’t see action “Due to the blows they suffered in yesterday’s duel against the Dominican Republic.”
Bjelica and Kalinic logged in over 20 minutes each in the Eagles’ opening day clash versus the Dominican Republic, and they were among the key reasons behind the hosts’ late-game pull away towards the 94-76 victory.
Bjelica, who plays for the Miami Heat in the NBA, made 12 points, six rebounds, three blocks, an assist, and a steal. Team captain Kalinic, meanwhile, contributed nine markers, seven boards, and five dimes.
Serbia’s Nikola Kalinic received a hard foul from Dominican Republic’s Angel Nunez (FIBA.basketball)
With this, both Serbia and Gilas will head into the 2:15 a.m. (Manila time) joust at the Aleksandar Nikolic Hall with depleted units.
The Filipino dribblers will not have all-around guard Dwight Ramos due to a groin injury, which he suffered during the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers’ third window two weeks ago in Clark, Pampanga.
The last time the two nations faced off, Gilas bowed to the Serbians, 67-126, in the 2019 World Cup.
