Serbia dominates Philippines in basketball World Cup

By Fatih Erel

ISTANBUL (AA) - European basketball powerhouse Serbia hammered the Philippines 126-67 in Monday's 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup group match in China.

Serbia guaranteed to advance to the second round with this result.

Serbia's top two scorers were NBA's Sacramento Kings shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic with 17 points and forward Nemanja Bjelica with 20 points.

The Philippines' Jaymar Perez produced 16 points against Serbia but the Philippines was unable to avoid the heavy loss.

Meanwhile, the host team China was defeated by Poland: 76-79.

The tournament is set to last through Sept. 15, bringing a record 32 countries together to compete for the title, including Turkey.

Joining the tournament for the fifth time, Turkey is in Group E with Japan, the U.S., and the Czech Republic.

In the first group matches, Turkey beat Japan 86-67 while USA defeated the Czech Republic 88-67.

Turkey will face USA in the second group matches on Tuesday.

- Monday's results:

- Group A:

China- Poland: 76-79

Venezuela - Ivory Coast: 87-71

- Group B:

South Korea - Russia: 73-87

Nigeria - Argentina: 81-94

- Group C:

Puerto Rico - Spain : 63-73

Tunisia - Iran: 79-67

- Group D:

Serbia - The Philippines: 126-67

Italy - Angola: 92-61