Puerto Rico clinches ticket to second round; China relegated to classification round with Gilas

Puerto Rico booked the last ticket to the second round in Group B after denying China, 107-89, in the 2023 FIBA World Cup on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Puerto Rico led by 18 after a George Conditt layup early in the third period, 57-39, before China ended the frame trailing by nine points courtesy of a buzzer-beater triple from Jiwei  Zhao, 69-78.

Tremont Waters then made a crucial triple for an 86-73 cushion as Puerto Rico never lost steam to complete the victory and formalize its entry to the second round, joining Group B leader Serbia.

Waters led the way with 22 points, six assists, three rebounds, and four steals while ismael Romero chipped in 18 markers and 10 boards.

With Puerto Rico's win, South Sudan and China will finish third and fourth in Group B and will be relegated to the classification round where they will face Gilas Pilipinas and Angola of Group A.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News