Simone Fontecchio drops 30 as Italy stuns Serbia in comeback

Simone Fontecchio fired on all cylinders to steer Italy to a 78-76 stunning come-from-behind victory against erstwhile undefeated Serbia in the 2023 FIBA World Cup second round on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Italy improved to 3-1 in Group I while Serbia dropped to a similar 3-1 slate as the road to the quarterfinals now became a wide open race.

The Azzurri once found themselves deep in a 16-point hole late in the third quarter, 60-44, after a Nikola Jovic triple. But the Italians, who defeated the Philippines just days ago in the first round, rallied to end the penultimate frame staring at a three-point disadvantage, 62-59.

Fontecchio, who plays for the Utah Jazz in the NBA, took full charge in the payoff period as he buried a jumper to give Italy the lead, 65-64, before another bucket from him made it a 74-69 cushion.

With 50 ticks left, Marko Guduric fired a three-pointer to bring Serbia back to within two points, 74-76. But the 27-year-old Fontecchio knocked down another jumper, 78-74, as Bogdan Bogdanovic took care of his two freebies.

Stefan Jovic missed out on his final triple attempt as Italy completed the comeback and improved its quarterfinals chances.

Fontecchio finished with a 30-point outing laced with seven rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block while Marco Spissu chipped in 14 markers, five boards, and two dimes.

Bogdanovic once again paced Serbia with 18 points, three rebounds, and four assists.

Italy takes on Puerto Rico on Sunday while Serbia faces Dominican Republic.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News