In a final test ahead of the FIBA World Cup, Montenegro secured a victory against the Philippines with a score of 102:87.
Montenegro started the game with an advantage, but the Philippines responded with a 10-0 run, gaining an eight-point lead. In the closing moments of the first quarter, Montenegro scored five consecutive points, closing the gap.
During the second quarter, Montenegro managed to reverse the scoreline. The first half was fiercely contested, and Montenegro entered halftime with a two-point lead.
Jordan Clarkson scores 27 points against Montenegro to lead Gilas Pilipinas in scoring in his second game back with the national team. The Philippines will have one more tune-up before the World Cup.#FIBAWC #WinForAll pic.twitter.com/pIAZLZOSc5
— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) August 20, 2023
Montenegro’s strong performance continued into the third quarter. Thanks to solid defense, they extended their lead to double digits. Any uncertainties about the outcome were resolved early in the final quarter as Radovic’s surged to a 90-70 lead. They maintained control until the end of the game, securing a comfortable victory.
Nikola Vučević led his team to victory with 18 points, while Bojan Dubljević added 16. Despite Jordan Clarkson’s 29-point contribution, he couldn’t prevent his team from suffering a defeat.
In the upcoming World Cup, Radovic’s squad will compete in Group D against Lithuania, Mexico, and Egypt. The Philippines will be in Group A, facing Italy, the Dominican Republic, and Angola.