Angola and Egypt were both in action on Tuesday in game day 3 of the 2023 FIBA World Cup. However, it was contrasting outcomes for the two African sides, as the Angolans lost to the Dominican Republic in their final Group A game, while Egypt defeated Mexico to register their first win at the tournament since 1994.
Angola were beaten 67-75 at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon, Philippines, by the Dominicans, who completed a sweep in Group A to top the group and make it to the next round.
The eleven-time African champions overcame a nine-point first quarter deficit with strong showings in the second and third quarters, entering the final quarter with a one-point lead. However, the Dominican Republic showed immense resilience and experience to weather the storm and win the fourth quarter 26-17.
Dominican Republic sweep the Group A ????#FIBAWC x #WinForDominicana ????????
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 ???? (@FIBAWC) August 29, 2023
Greece-based forward Silvio De Sousa, who came off the bench, led Angola with a near double-double of 19 points and 9 rebounds, while Atlanta Hawks star Bruno Fernando added 13 points for coach Jose Claros Canals side, which missed 13 free throws and endured a poor shooting game.
With NBA and Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns pegged back due to foul trouble, Spain-based guard Andres Feliz stepped up for the Carribeans with 17 points and six rebounds. Towns ended the game with just eight points, while Victor Liz had 13 points, eight rebounds, and three huge steals.
Irrespective of the outcome of the other Group A game between Italy and co-hosts the Philippines, the Dominican Republic are guaranteed a spot in the next round and will face one of the top two teams from Group B. Angola, on the other hand, are left to battle it out in Classification 17–32 games, where they will look to fight for a berth in the 2024 Olympic Qualification Tournaments.
Pyramids of Giza > Chichen Itza#FIBAWC x #WinForAll
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 ???? (@FIBAWC) August 29, 2023
At the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Egypt tasted victory at the FIBA World Cup for the first time in 29 years, thrashing Mexico 100-72, and will also move to the Classification 17–32 games with the hopes of securing a spot at the 2024 Olympic Games as the best African team at the World Cup.
Mexico didn’t come to the party, providing the Pharaohs with the chance to score 30 points in the first quarter and 29 points in the second. Despite the North Americans edging the third, the Egyptians rose tall once again to pick up the fourth quarter, where they scored 23 points.
Ehab Amin poured in 22 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, and two steals in a comfortable game for Egypt, while Patrick Gardner came off the bench to add 20 points and seven rebounds for the North Africans, who had five players in double figures and outscored Mexico 31-8 in second unit points.
Pako Cruz and Joshua Ibarra both scored 21 points apiece for Mexico, which had four players finish the game scoreless.
