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MANILA, Philippines — Jonas Valanciunas dropped a double-double to guide the balanced assault of Lithuania to trounce the Luka Doncic-led Slovenia, 100-84, and advance to the Battle for fifth of the Fiba World Cup 2023 on Thursday at Mall of Asia Area.
The 6-foot-11 Valanciunas imposed his will contained in the paint with 24 factors and 12 rebounds for an opportunity to place the Lithuanians at fifth place once they tackle Latvia on Saturday night.
“We’re taking part in for the followers, We’re taking part in for the individuals, who got here right here to assist us. We’re not gonna quit these two video games. Most likely, don’t imply an excessive amount of however we’re preventing for our individuals, our nation,” Valanciunas advised reporters.
“Everyone performed laborious. Everyone contributed. Everyone gave the whole lot on the court docket. We’re nonetheless gonna play our basketball, our identification. Yet another sport left,” he added.
The Lithuanians held Doncic to 1-of-10 capturing within the second half. The Dallas Mavericks star’s solely area objective got here from a trey within the remaining 34 seconds of the sport.
The Slovenian captain completed with 29 factors — 19 from the primary half — to go together with six rebounds, three steals, and two assists as his crew suffered its third straight loss within the World Cup regardless of being a crowd favourite in Manila.
Ignas Brazdeikis was instrumental in Lithuania’s win with 15 factors on 3-of-4 three-point capturing. Mindaugas Kuzminskas and Deividas Sirvydis chipped in 14 markers every whereas Vaidas Kariniauskas dished out 10 assists.
Lithuania bounced again from a troublesome 87-68 loss to Serbia within the quarterfinals. It unleashed a 14-2 run from the top of the third to the final seven minutes of the sport capped by Sirvydis’ triple to push the lead t 21 factors, 86-65, and by no means appeared again.
“It was powerful up there as much as the final sport. However we discovered vitality, we discovered the braveness to come back out and play laborious,” Valanciunas stated.
Slovenia allowed its opponent to attain 100 factors for the third straight time.
Aleksej Nikolic had 14 factors for the Slovenians. Mike Tobey chipped in 13 factors and 9 rebounds, whereas Zoran Dragic added 12 markers.
Doncic will play his final sport at MOA Area when Slovenia tries to take the seventh place in opposition to Italy on Saturday.
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