Nikola Vucevic scores 27 to lead Montenegro past Mexico at MOA Arena

NBA star Nikola Vucevic dominated for 27 points and 10 rebounds to lead his Montenegro team to a 91-71 win over Mexico in Group D of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Chicago Bulls center shot 8-for-12 from two-point range and a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc in a strong performance in his team's opener. He also had two blocks.

He scored nine of his points in the fourth quarter, where his team turned a 10-point contest into a 20-point rout.

Kendrick Perry added 16 points and seven assists for Montenegro in the win.

Mexico was led by Pako Cruz, who finished with 16 points and six assists for the FIBA Americas squad.

Gilas Pilipinas played against both teams in tuneup games as part of their preparations for the World Cup.

The Philippines lost 102-87 against Montenegro despite a big scoring game from Jordan Clarkson. They hung close against Mexico, 84-77, despite Clarkson sitting out for some rest.

Gilas Pilipinas is set to take on the Dominican Republic in Group A at 8 p.m. at the Philippine Arena.

Read more | FIBA World Cup Preview: A Serbian correspondent breaks down Gilas Pilipinas vs Dominican Republic

The scores:

Montenegro 91 - Vucevic 27, Perry 16, Ivanovic 14, Popovic 8, Dubljevic 7, Rodavic 7, Simonovic 5, Slavkovic 4, Radoncic 2, Mihailovic 1.

Mexico 71 - Cruz 16, Ibarra 13, Jaimes 12, Stoll 10, Giron 6, I. Gutierrez 6, J. Gutierrez 4, Bonilla 2, Camacho 2, Amigo 0, Mendez 0.

Quarterscores: 19-19, 48-39, 68-58, 91-71.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News