Latvia’s Davis Bertans. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.web
MANILA, Philippines—Earlier than Latvia launched into its maiden Fiba World Cup journey, the gamers vowed to provide their all for his or her countrymen whatever the circumstance.
Latvia made positive to maintain that promise on Thursday lower than 24 hours after bowing out of medal competition following a heartbreaking loss to Germany within the quarterfinal.
“We’re simply preserving our promise that we made once we left Latvia, we mentioned we’re gonna struggle in each single sport it doesn’t matter what sport it’s. That was the message we relayed to one another,” mentioned ahead Davis Bertans.
That’s precisely what Latvia did because it scraped previous Italy, 87-82, within the classification spherical for an opportunity to complete fifth within the World Cup.
The Latvians overcame a torpid first quarter and held off the hard-fighting Italians who had been with out their star ahead Simone Fontecchio.
Latvia leaned on the new palms of Andrejs Grazulis, who unleashed 28 factors together with the game-clinching triple.
Andrejs Grazulis and Latvia throughout a classification sport towards Italy within the Fiba World Cup at Mall of Asia Area. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.web
“It’s a sluggish begin however we by no means let down. We saved preventing and bought again within the sport and give you a win and have an opportunity to play within the fifth set,” mentioned Bertans, who will play for the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder this upcoming NBA season.
“Grazulis is unbelievable. He can rating in each means, proper, left, mid-range, threes, a number of the financial institution pictures, and all the pieces,” he added.
Taking part in with out injured NBA star Kristaps Porzingis, Latvia emerged as this World Cup’s Cinderella workforce.
Slotted in a troublesome group, the Latvians defied the chances and took down world energy France to safe a spot within the second spherical, the place they continued their fairytale run by taking down defending champion Spain for a spot within the quarterfinal.
Latvia got here shut to creating the semifinal with Bertans misfiring on a possible game-winning 3-pointer within the last seconds towards Germany.
Ending within the high 5 could be a giant accomplishment for Latvia and its followers again house the place coach Luca Banchi mentioned Latvian youngsters are even watching their video games inside their lecture rooms.
“It’s massive coming right here. No person anticipated us to be on this place, no person anticipated us on the highest eight. I feel some didn’t even anticipate us to be taking part in within the second group spherical within the high 16. However we don’t care what folks take into consideration us. We preserve preventing, we play for our nation and provides all the pieces we bought,” mentioned the 6-foot-10 Bertans, who had 9 factors and 5 rebounds towards Italy.
Latvia battles Lithuania, which eased previous Slovenia, 100-84, on Saturday.
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