We’re Down to The Final Four!!!

This is it, folks! The gruelling FIBA World Cup 2023 just saw 8 worthy teams scrambling for the last 4 slots. And as expected, the odds-on faves Team USA, jolted by a wake-up call earlier by the behemoths of Lithuania, unleashed a jaw-dropping total domination of Italy 100-63. And as luck would have it, the giant-killing Lithuanians would fall to the smaller, but faster Serbs 87-68. Germany, the only unbeaten team left in the tourney, nipped a game but undersized Latvian squad 81-79. And Canada, which had flirted with elimination in the 2nd round, outpunched crowd-favorite Slovenia, 100-89, to take the last ticket to the semifinals.

It is war, folks; with no quarters given, no quarters asked. And no mercy for the adversary. And when the smoke of battle cleared, we have Teams USA, Serbia, Germany and Canada standing strong over a field of fallen heroes. Battered a bit, but certainly unbowed. Say goodbye to Team USA’s tormentor, Lithuania. Say goodbye to the on-again, off again Italians. So with Luka Doncic and the Slovenians, and the small but doggedly-determined Latvians. It is on to the semis for the four survivors, where they must face bigger challenges ahead. Forget the bruises and the battered bodies, the stakes are higher now. For the honor and pride of being crowned the best in the world.

Team USA, which placed an embarrassing 7th in the last World Cup in 2019 in China, are on a mission to redeem themselves. Led by upcoming stars Anthony Edwards and Mikhal Bridges, the Americans are unstoppable in the open court, where they can outrun, outjump, out-everything every other team in the competition. They lost previously to the bigger-bodied Lithuanians, whose almost perfect 3-point shooting kept the Americans’ running game at bay. The Lithuanians were the perfect foil for the super-talented Team USA, and with them uncermoniously booted out, this looks like a clearer path for Team USA.

Their semis dance partner, Germany, has the distinction of being the last unbeaten team in the tournament. Germany is led by the charismatic Dennis Shroder, formerly of the LA Lakers, whose scoring and playmaking abilities have always shined in the international competitions. Team USA and Germany met once right before the 2023 World Cup, and the Germans led by a much as 16 before relaxing and allowing Team USA to unleash a furious rally. The Germans have a blend of the NBA and Euro style of play. With support guys like Moritz and Franz Wagner, they will give the Americans a run for their money. But the bottomline remains, this team will live and die with the performance of team leader, Dennis Schroder.

Over on the other side of the bracket, there’s Canada locking horns with Serbia.

Canada is another team oozing with NBA talent. They have all-star Shai Gilgeous Alexander (SGA) leading the pack, with back-up from RJ Barrett providing more firepower and Dillon Brooks providing pug-nosed defense. Like Germany, this team will rely most on SGA to lead them to the promised land. Upended by a lucky Brazilian squad in the 2nd round of hostilities, the Canadians almost never made it to the quarterfinals. They had to scrape a come-from-behind 88-85 win over the defending champs Spain to buy a ticket to the knockout rounds. This team’s defense, as well as its running offense looks so much like that of Team USA’s; but they cannot take their next opponent for granted. It will take a total team effort for this team – particularly on defense – if they are to win over Serbia.

Serbia, on the other hand, is another team that loves to push the pace. They are a team with the American flair, but with a Euro culture; which provides for the character and the style of play that has optimized their individual skills into a cohesive lot. Starring NBA veteran Bogdan Bogdanovich, the team may not be endowed with as much talent as Team USA, but they have a great defense (Lithuania scored 100 points against the USA, but only 68 against Serbia), a discipline and focus that make them play better together, as opposed to relying on the individual skills of each. This team could have been so much better talent-wise, with their superstar Nikola Jokic absent from the roster, but they have made up for it with a team effort that plugs all holes in the bucket.

The two mano-a-mano duels unfold before us fans tonight. We are down to the last 4, with 2 American and 2 European teams going head-to-head. It’s American speed, skill and size, against European discipline, determination and defense. Watch the wily SGA and the Canadian crew do battle against Serbia’s Bogdan Bogdanovich and his band of brothers. Witness the high-flying, star-studded team of the US of A as they trade fireballs with Germany’s Dennis Schroder and his cohorts. We know who has the best talents. But in a team game like basketball, it may not just be about talent, but of strategy, of coaching, of discipline and the unselfish resolve to put the team interest above individual honors.

We are down to the Final Four, folks. Get ready with your beer and popcorn. Take your favorite spot before the boob-tube. It’s winning time once again in the FIBA World Cup 2023!!! And you better be there, or be square! Ang hindi manonood, pangit!!!

Cover photo courtesy of FIBA.Basketball. Other photos courtesy of Fiba.Basketball, The Manila Times, CNN, Inquirer.net, GMA Network, Sporting News, BasketNews and Bleacher Report. For a closer look, just click on the pics.