Italy escapes Puerto Rico to punch World Cup QF ticket

Powerhouse Italy continued its rise in the 2023 FIBA World Cup after fending off Puerto Rico, 73-57, to advance to the quarterfinal round on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Italy, who was coming off a big win against Serbia the other day, ended the second round with a 4-1 while Puerto Rico bowed out of contention after dropping to 3-2.

Giampaolo Ricci and Stefano Tonut each poured in 15 points while Simone Fontecchio registered a double-double effort of 12 markers and 12 rebounds alongside one assist and one steal.

After trailing for most of the first half, Puerto Rico cut its deficit to just three before heading to the third period, 39-36, with ever-reliable Tremont Waters leading the way.

They even took a 43-41 lead late in the third before a buzzer-beater three-pointer from Alessandro Pajola sent the Italians to a 51-47 cushion to end the frame.

It was all Italy in the payoff period as Puerto Rico could not trim its deficit to a single digit.

Waters paced Puerto Rico with 13 points, nine assists, two rebounds, and one steal while Jordan Howard chipped in 11 markers, four boards, and two dimes.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News