In an impressive display of dominance, Giannis Antetokounmpo led Greece to a commanding 109-82 victory over the Dominican Republic in the Group B stage of the Olympic qualifying tournament held in Piraeus, Greece. The Greek Freak was unstoppable, scoring 32 points in just 19 minutes of play. Making all 11 of his field goal attempts, Antetokounmpo's performance was nothing short of flawless, bolstering Greece's bid for an Olympic spot.
Despite his meteoric rise to stardom in the NBA, Giannis remains deeply connected to his roots. "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," praised Vassilis Spanoulis, underscoring the Milwaukee Bucks star's commitment to national duty.
Walkup's Vital Contribution
While Giannis was the clear standout, Thomas Walkup's contribution was crucial to Greece's victory. Walkup added 17 points to the scoreboard, ensuring that Greece maintained a comfortable lead throughout the game. The team surged ahead by as many as 27 points, never giving the Dominican Republic a chance to bounce back.
Eyes on the Semifinals
Greece now eyes a victory over Egypt on Thursday to secure a place in the semifinal round. But the competition is far from over, with qualifying tournaments concurrently taking place in Latvia, Puerto Rico, and Spain, all part of the broader quest to determine the four participants in the men's basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Group play across all venues will wrap up on Thursday, followed by semifinal matches on Saturday and championship games on Sunday.
New Zealand's Narrow Escape
In Group A, New Zealand narrowly edged past Croatia with a 90-86 win, thanks to standout performances from Corey Webster and Shea Ili, who scored 21 and 18 points, respectively. Ili's decisive layup in the final minute sealed the victory. Croatia's Ivica Zubac was a force inside, recording 29 points and 16 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to secure the win for his team. Despite the setback, Croatia's four-point differential ensures their place in the semifinals, provided Slovenia doesn't defeat New Zealand by 21 points or more in their next matchup.
Dario Saric, though disappointed, noted the team's resilience, "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.”
Montenegro's Hard-Fought Victory
Meanwhile, in Riga, Latvia, Montenegro pulled off a hard-fought 70-66 victory over Cameroon. Marko Simonovic and Nikola Vucevic were pivotal, with Simonovic scoring 18 points and Vucevic adding 11 points and 14 rebounds. Montenegro's balanced offense saw five players scoring in double figures, forcing Cameroon to play catch-up throughout the game.
Despite the loss, Cameroon had noteworthy contributions from Fabien Quentin Philibert Ateba and Jordan Bayehe, who each scored 14 points. Montenegro's efficiency at the free-throw line, converting 20 out of 24 attempts, proved to be the difference-maker in this tight contest.
Bahamas on a Roll
Over in Valencia, Spain, the Bahamas advanced to the knockout round, spearheaded by Valdez Edgecombe Jr. who scored 21 points. NBA star Deandre Ayton contributed 18 points and nine rebounds, while Buddy Hield scored 17 points and recorded 10 assists. The Bahamas' sharp shooting from beyond the arc, hitting 13 three-pointers, and their unselfish play, recording 24 assists on 31 field goals, demonstrated their offensive prowess. Boasting a perfect 2-0 record in Group B, the Bahamas have firmly established themselves as contenders.
Philippines Shine in Manila
The Philippines delivered an inspiring 89-80 win over Latvia, led by Justin Brownlee's near triple-double of 26 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. Kai Sotto also made significant contributions with 18 points and eight rebounds. Despite Latvia's late surge, cutting a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit to just 10 points, the Philippines held their ground, showcasing their resilience under pressure. Rodions Kurucs scored 18 points for Latvia, but it wasn't enough to turn the tide.
Spain Holds Steady
Spain continued their strong performance in the qualifiers with an 89-81 victory over Angola. Santiago Aldama led the charge with 24 points, while Willy Hernangomez added 22 points and 10 rebounds. Angola's effort was spearheaded by Jilson Bango, who notched 15 points and nine rebounds. For Angola to join Spain in the knockout round, they will need a vital victory against Lebanon in their next matchup.
As the qualifiers progress, the intensity and stakes continue to rise. Teams are not only battling for wins but for the dream of competing on one of sports' grandest stages – the Olympic Games in Paris. The upcoming matches, including Greece's critical game against Egypt, will be pivotal in determining who gets to keep that dream alive.