Serbia dedicates QF win to injured teammate Borisa Simanic

It was not just an important win to advance to the semifinals, but it was a victory dedicated to their injured teammate Borisa Simanic.

Simanic underwent an operation last week after sustaining an injury for being hit in the elbow in the kidney area, which ruled him out for the remainder of the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

According to reports, his kidney was removed days later in a second surgery due to complications arising from the previous operation.

"Our teammate who's still with us, Borisa Simanic, he gave us amazing energy," Serbia's Bogdan Bogdanovic said in a press conference after their 87-68 win against Lithuania.

Bogdanovic added that Simanic's message to them alleviated their nervous feeling going into the quarterfinals.

Serbia’s Bogdan Bogdanovic dedicates their win to teammate Borisa Simanic #FIBAWC @gmasportsph @gmanews pic.twitter.com/qR12SSmXhL

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) September 5, 2023

"I was somehow, in my young age, I was always losing to Lithuania and I was so nervous, and I saw the message from Borisa in the morning. He was [like], 'Guys, I'm good. Don't worry. Let's win tonight,' and from him, just to think about us, you know after everything happened to him, he united us, I'll say. That's an amazing, amazing guy and this is for him as well." added Bogdanovic.

Bogdanovic posted 21 points, four rebounds, and three assists in their win against Lietuva.

Serbia will face the winner of the quarterfinals bracket between Slovenia and Canada in the semis on Friday.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News