Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 5) — Serbia booked the first semis ticket after beating Lithuania, 87-68, in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
NBA cager Bogdan Bogdanovic tallied 21 points, highlighted by a long three-pointer just before halftime, to go with four rebounds and three assists.
Serbia was inspired to play after one of its players, Borisa Simanic, was ruled out of the competition to undergo a surgery removing a kidney after he was elbowed in their group stage match against South Sudan.
Unlike in their previous game versus USA, Lithuania’s outside shooting went cold as the European nation suffered its first loss in the tournament.
Filip Petrusev added 17 points, six rebounds, and two assists for Serbia.
Tadas Sedekerskis had 14 markers and nine boards for Lithuania.
