SGA, Canada eliminate Slovenia to arrange FIBA semis duel with Serbia

Canada cruised to the 2023 FIBA World Cup semifinals after eliminating Luka Doncic and his Slovenia side, 100-89, in their knockout quarterfinals match on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Canada will face another heavyweight in Serbia in the semifinals while USA and Germany will tangle in the other final four bracket. Slovenia, on the other hand, will still play in the classification round.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poured in a monster double-double outing of 31 points and 10 rebounds alongside four assists and two steals.

Canada rode a strong third quarter with Gilgeous-Alexander, alongside RJ Barrett and Kelly Olynyk, bringing the star-studded squad to a 77-61 lead to break free from a 50-50 halftime deadlock.

But Slovenia got its act together as Doncic and Bine Prepelic hit timely baskets as they trimmed the deficit to a single digit before heading to the fourth, 80-71.

A Dillon Brooks triple made it another 16-point lead for Canada, 92-76, before the Houston Rockets star was whistled for a disqualifying foul for taunting with 7:06 left in the game.

Shortly after, Doncic was also ejected for getting his second technical foul. Still, Slovenia made some runs with Gregor Hrovat's back-to-back baskets cutting their deficit to nine, 94-85.

Gilgeous-Alexander, who plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder, then fueled a personal 4-0 run to send Canada to a 98-85 cushion in the final 2:17 en route to the win.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News