HIGHLIGHTS: FIBA World Cup 2023 quarterfinals – September 5 games (2024)

Sep 5, 2023 1:00 PM PHT

JR Isaga

The 2023 FIBA World Cup moves exclusively to the Mall of Asia Arena for the highly anticipated final phase, starting off with another high-stakes main event featuring favored USA and underdog Italy

MANILA, Philippines – The 2023 FIBA World Cup stage just got a lot less crowded as eight teams remain in contention for one of basketball’s top championships starting this Wednesday, September 5, now only at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

While games now lack in quantity, there will certainly be a lot more quality as all eight contenders have legitimate shots at the gold, with no single team – not even all-NBA USA – being an overwhelming favorite.

Italy vs USA

USA made sure to bounce back big.

Just a couple of days after absorbing a shock first loss to Lithuania, USA wrecked Italy, 100-63, to clinch a semifinal spot in the FIBA World Cup.

Mikal Bridges erupted for 24 points, half coming from three-point range, as the Americans cruised early, building a 46-24 cushion at the half of the knockout quarterfinals.

Tyrese Haliburton also sizzled, knocking down all of his 18 points from beyond the arc, while fan favorite Austin Reaves added 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists for the all-NBA USA crew.

Simone Fontecchio paced the Italians with 18 points.

FIBA | FINAL:

No shockers this time around.

See Also

What to know about the FIBA World Cup: Teams to watch and moreUSA at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 - FIBA.basketballBasketball, FIBA World Cup 2023: All games, results and group standings - complete listEverything you need to know about the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023

USA completely shuts down Italy for an easy #FIBAWorldCup2023 semifinal berth, 100-63.#FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/5SehzCYmAg

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 5, 2023

FIBA | 4Q:

USA is more than likely on the way to an easy semifinal berth as it still leads Italy, 94-58, with less than 3 minutes left in regulation.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 5, 2023

FIBA | STATS:

Italy is just 26% from the field through three quarters – on pace for its worst-ever shooting performance in FIBA World Cup history since the federation started tracking field goal data.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 5, 2023

FIBA | END OF 3Q:

Tyrese Haliburton ends the quarter with a between-the-legs alley-oop pass to Paolo Banchero for the jam!

USA's cruise over Italy continues with a 39-point gap, 83-44.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 5, 2023

FIBA | 3Q:

Italy star center Nicolo Melli goes down after a mid-air collision with USA's Brandon Ingram.

Replays show Ingram raked Melli's face with his left hand during a dunk attempt.

Referees call an unsportsmanlike foul on Ingram after the replay.#FIBAWC

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 5, 2023

FIBA | 3Q:

USA's destruction of Italy breaks the 30-point barrier, 68-36, with 4:42 left in the third.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 5, 2023

FIBA | 3Q:

Mikal Bridges keeps going, drains a contested corner three and does his signature gun taunt to the Italian bench.

He gets a quick tech, but USA still leads big, 55-29.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 5, 2023

FIBA | STATS:

Mikal Bridges leads USA's hot start over Italy with 14 points, offsetting top scorer Anthony Edwards' scoreless first half.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/BOWca2bhrG

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 5, 2023

FIBA | HALFTIME:

USA pulls away from Italy with a 22-10 second quarter for the 46-24 lead.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 5, 2023

FIBA | 2Q:

Austin Reaves comes soaring in for the putback jam and MOA Arena comes alive again!

USA leads Italy, 46-22.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 5, 2023

FIBA | 2Q:

USA doubles up on Italy off a Mikal Bridges pull-up three, 36-18, with 3:33 left in the half.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 5, 2023

FIBA | END OF 1Q:

USA creates a quick double-digit cushion over Italy, 24-14.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 5, 2023

FIBA | 1Q:

As usual, Filipino fans give the loudest cheers to Austin Reaves as the Los Angeles Lakers rising star sank his first field goal from downtown.

Timeout Italy as USA leads, 20-11, with 2:04 left.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 5, 2023

FIBA | 1Q:

Jaren Jackson, Jr. gets 2 early fouls, prompting Paolo Banchero to check in.

Banchero – who decided to play for USA in the World Cup instead of Italy – is heavily booed by Italian fans in attendance.

Italy leads USA, 6-4.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 5, 2023

Preview

USA returns to the MOA Arena as a team of wounded warriors after absorbing a stunning first defeat against Lithuania, and underdog Italy will try to pounce on its foe’s moment of weakness and stage a tournament-changing ouster at 8:40 pm.

Italy’s lone current NBA player Simone Fontecchio will try to get his offense going early and lead the upset charge of the world No. 10 program, while No. 2 USA seeks more productivity from its other extremely-capable stars like Brandon Ingram and Jaren Jackson, Jr.

Lithuania vs Serbia

Serbia booked the first semifinal seat after an 87-68 crushing of Lithuania at the start of the knockout quarterfinals.

NBA shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic fueled the Serbians’ hot start, firing 18 of his game-high 21 points in the first half on top of 4 rebounds and 3 assists.

The Serbians pulled away by as many as 25 points, 82-57, after back-to-back Filip Petrusev threes with 6:06 minutes to go.

Lithuania – which highlighted its group-phase sweep by dealing the all-NBA USA team a shock first loss – bowed out with four players in double-digits led by Tadas Sedekerskis’ 14 points.

Even giant-slayers are too small for Bogdan Bogdanovic!

In-form Serbia eliminates USA tormentor Lithuania in a stunning 87-68 blowout to move on to the semifinals.

Once undefeated, Lithuania now moves down to the classification phase.#FIBAWorldCup2023 https://t.co/CRl774z6ir pic.twitter.com/Is8ybRtTHR

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 5, 2023

FIBA | FINAL:

Even giant-slayers are too small for Bogdan Bogdanovic!

In-form Serbia eliminates USA tormentor Lithuania in a stunning 87-68 blowout to move on to the semifinals.

Once undefeated, Lithuania now moves down to the classification phase.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/JFsr4T5TZi

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 5, 2023

FIBA | 4Q:

Filip Petrusev drains back-to-back threes to push Serbia even further away from stunned Lithuania, 82-57, with 6:06 left to play.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 5, 2023

FIBA | END OF 3Q:

Serbia continues its thrashing of Lithuania, 73-55.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 5, 2023

FIBA | 3Q:

Serbia balloons its lead over Lithuania, 62-48.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 5, 2023

FIBA | STATS:

Serbia's Bogdan Bogdanovic is scorching hot with 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting and 2-of-3 from three in just 16 minutes against Lithuania.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/WuKL260OI5

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 5, 2023

FIBA | HALFTIME:

Red-hot Serbia pushes undefeated Lithuania against the ropes at intermission, 49-38.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 5, 2023

FIBA | END OF 1Q:

Lithuania leads Serbia in a nip-and-tuck affair, 25-24.#FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 5, 2023

Preview

Kicking off the World Cup quarterfinals is a 4:45 pm showdown between Serbia – the best of the Balkans – and Lithuania – the beasts of the Baltic.

With both teams excelling in virtually all bases like scoring, defense, and international experience, this opening match will likely be an entertaining slugfest from buzzer to buzzer.

Thus, star power must be on full display in this now-or-never knockout affair, with world No 6 Serbia’s Bogdan Bogdanovic and No. 8 Lithuania’s Jonas Valanciunas expected to lead the way.

Please refresh this page for live updates. – Rappler.com