Giannis Antetokounmpo once again demonstrated his dominance by leading Greece to a decisive 109-82 victory over the Dominican Republic in the Group B stage of the Piraeus, Greece, Olympic qualifying tournament. Antetokounmpo's brilliance was on full display as he scored an astonishing 32 points in just 19 minutes. Impressively, the Greek Freak made all 11 of his field-goal attempts, showcasing impeccable efficiency on the court.
Antetokounmpo's near-flawless performance extended to the free-throw line, where he went 9-of-13. Adding to his scoring prowess, he sank his sole three-point attempt, further solidifying his all-around game. “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,” Vassilis Spanoulis noted, highlighting Antetokounmpo’s dedication and team-first mentality.
Not only did Antetokounmpo shine, but Thomas Walkup also provided significant support with 17 points, helping Greece establish and maintain a commanding lead that grew to as many as 27 points. With this pivotal win, Greece now faces a must-win matchup against Egypt on Thursday to advance to the semifinal round of the tournament.
Qualifying Tournaments Across the Globe
The qualifiers in Greece are part of a larger series of tournaments taking place in Latvia, Puerto Rico, and Spain. These competitions are crucial, as they will determine the final four participants in the men's basketball tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Group play at all four venues concludes on Thursday, with semifinal matches set for Saturday and championship games scheduled for Sunday.
New Zealand's Close Call
In another tight contest, New Zealand edged past Croatia with a 90-86 victory in Group A in Piraeus. Corey Webster led New Zealand with 21 points, while Shea Ili added 18 points, including a crucial layup in the final minute to seal the win. "It was a gutsy win for our team," Reuben Te Rangi stated, underscoring the determination and resilience displayed by New Zealand.
Ivica Zubac was a standout for Croatia, posting an impressive 29 points and 16 rebounds. Contributions from Dario Saric and Mario Hezonja kept Croatia competitive. Despite the loss, Croatia's playoff hopes remain alive as they secured a spot in the semifinals, provided Slovenia doesn't defeat New Zealand by 21 points or more in the next round. Croatia had previously recorded a 108-92 win over Slovenia, adding to the complexity of the group standings.
Montenegro Edges Cameroon
Over in Riga, Latvia, Montenegro emerged victorious over Cameroon with a 70-66 win. Marko Simonovic led Montenegro with 18 points and six rebounds, and the team featured five players scoring in double figures. Nikola Vucevic contributed 11 points and 14 rebounds, helping Montenegro maintain a slight edge, leading 32-29 at halftime. The team excelled at the free-throw line, converting 20 out of 24 attempts.
For Cameroon, Fabien Quentin Philibert Ateba and Jordan Bayehe each scored 14 points, keeping the game close but ultimately falling short against a well-rounded Montenegro team.
Bahamas Advance in Spain
Meanwhile, in Valencia, Spain, the Bahamas secured their spot in the knockout round. Valdez Edgecombe Jr. led the way with 21 points, supported by Deandre Ayton, who added 18 points and nine rebounds. The Bahamas showcased their sharpshooting by making 13 successful three-pointers and facilitating excellent ball movement with 24 assists on 31 field goals. Buddy Hield’s contribution of 17 points and 10 assists was also crucial in maintaining their 2-0 record in Group B.
Poland and Finland will compete to decide which team will join the Bahamas in the semifinals.
Other Noteworthy Matches
In a notable game, the Philippines triumphed over Latvia 89-80. Justin Brownlee delivered an outstanding performance with 26 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. Kai Sotto added 18 points and eight rebounds, ensuring the Philippines held off Latvia, who made a late push in the fourth quarter, trimming a 21-point deficit to 10.
Rodions Kurucs was a key player for Latvia with 18 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Philippines' strong showing.
In another encounter, Spain defeated Angola 89-81. Santiago Aldama led Spain with 24 points, complemented by Willy Hernangomez’s 22 points and 10 rebounds. Despite Jilson Bango's 15 points and nine rebounds for Angola, Spain secured the victory. Angola now faces a must-win game against Lebanon to advance to the knockout round alongside Spain.
As the group stages near their conclusion and the knockout rounds approach, the competition intensifies, with national pride and Olympic dreams on the line. Each game brings new heroics and thrilling moments, setting the stage for an unforgettable Olympic qualifying journey.