By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Team USA overcame a slow start and climbed back from an early double-digit deficit to trounce Spain, 95-81, in the men’s Olympic basketball quarterfinals.
Spain put on the pressure in the interior and made a living there in the first two quarters as Willy Hernangomez and Victor Claver outhustled and out-bodied the Americans to help establish an early 11-point lead, 40-29 in the second quarter of the highly-anticipated duel.
Veteran guard Ricky Rubio of Spain put in the early work and displayed a shooting exhibition to help put his team in the driver’s seat.
However, team USA suddenly caught fire and in a blink of an eye, Spain’s 11-point lead quickly evaporated.
USA’s timely shooting led by main gunner Kevin Durant helped them get back to end the first half on a high note at 43-all.
Soon as the second half began, USA just flipped the switch and outscored Spain in the third quarter, 26-20.
Spain tried to fight back and narrow the gap in the last frame but Jayson Tatum and Damian Lillard were the x-factors who led the US attack when Durant was resting on the bench.
USA was led by Durant’s 29 points, four dimes, three steals, and one block while Boston Celtics’ superstar Tatum chipped in 13 points including two treys in the crucial stretch of the fourth quarter.
Meanwhile, Rubio’s terrific performance of 38 points, four rebounds, and two assists were not enough to shut down the well-oiled American artillery.
USA’s quarterfinals victory helped them qualify for the Olympic men’s basketball semifinals and is one win away from another finals contention.
