The Italy men's national basketball team is set to face off against the Puerto Rico men's national basketball team in the Second Round of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
The match will take place at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 3 (Philippine Time) at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Find out how to watch, live stream or TV channel and game time information for the matchup between the Italy and Puerto Rico.
- Date: Sunday, September 3, 2023
- Time: 4:00 pm (PHL Time)
- Venue: Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City
- Game Stats: FIBA
- TV: One Sports+ / ESPN+
- Live Stream: Courtside 1891 / Pilipinas Live (Android / iOS)
Results and Scores: Italy vs. Puerto Rico
Italy
73
FINAL SCORE
57
Puerto Rico
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | 25 | 14 | 12 | 22 | 73 |
| Puerto Rico | 15 | 21 | 11 | 10 | 57 |
Italy now stands at the top of their group, pending the outcome of the Serbia vs. Dominican Republic matchup later in the day.
Stefan Tonut and Giampaolo Ricci played crucial roles in Italy's victory, each scoring 15 points.
Simone Fontecchio, who had a remarkable 30-point outing against Serbia, contributed significantly to the win with a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds in 32 minutes.
Luigi Datome (11 points) also made significant contributions to Italy's double-digit scoring.
On the other side, Puerto Rico's record dropped to 3-2 in the tournament.
With the tournament format, the bottom two teams of each group in the second round are eliminated, and they will be ranked between ninth and 16th.
Tremont Waters led Puerto Rico once again with 13 points, despite his 5-of-14 shooting.
Game Highlights: Italy vs. Puerto Rico
Watch the game highlights between Italy men's national basketball team and Puerto Rico men's national basketball team in the Second Round of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Video from YouTube Channel of FIBA
Preview: Italy vs. Puerto Rico
In a high-stakes Group I showdown, Italy and Puerto Rico are set to battle it out on September 3, with a spot in the 2023 FIBA World Cup quarterfinals at stake.
Both teams had their share of challenges in the first group stage, each suffering a loss. However, they responded with resilience, winning close matches in the second phase to keep their quarterfinal hopes alive. Now, in a direct duel, the winner secures a coveted spot in the quarterfinals. The question is, will Italy grind out another win with their solid defense, or can Puerto Rico's aggressive style prevail?
Italy has been a picture of consistency in this tournament, largely thanks to their rock-solid defense. They have been led by Simone Fontecchio of the Utah Jazz, who is averaging an impressive 20 points, along with 5.3 rebounds and two assists per game. Supporting him are Marco Spissu (12.3 ppg and 5.5 apg) and Stefano Tonut (10.5 ppg). Their recent come-from-behind victory against Serbia showcased their determination to secure a quarterfinal spot.
On the other side, Puerto Rico may not have NBA players on their roster, but they have showcased their offensive prowess. Point guard Tremont Waters has been the standout performer, averaging a remarkable 21.8 points and 9.3 assists in the tournament. George Conditt and Ismael Romero have also been dominant inside the paint.
This clash promises to be intriguing, with Italy's strong defense pitted against Puerto Rico's high-scoring style. The two teams have met seven times in FIBA competitions before, with Italy winning the last six encounters.
Italy appears poised to extend its winning streak against Puerto Rico to seven, given their impressive performance in this tournament. Simone Fontecchio's leadership and scoring ability make him a key figure in Italy's offensive arsenal.
Puerto Rico, however, has thrived on balanced scoring, with six players averaging double-digit points. This balanced approach could serve them well in the crucial showdown against Italy.
As the clock ticks down to this pivotal matchup, basketball fans can expect an exciting clash of contrasting styles, where only one team will secure their place in the quarterfinals of the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
