Team USA, Serbia in semis; Luka makes Manila debut for Slovenia

MANILA, Philippines — Thrust into their first win-or-go-home situation in this FIBA World Cup, Team USA’s young guns gamely said let’s get it on.

And after putting up a 40-minute showcase of firepower, hustles and energy plays against a stunned Italy, the NBA’s rising stars are off to the semifinals.

Mikal Bridges served as the main target-man for Steve Kerr’s squad in this comprehensive 100-63 dispatching of the Italians last night at the MOA Arena, rifling in 24 points spiked by four triples to go with seven rebounds and one block.

It was Bridges’ sniping in the second and third periods that put the game beyond the Azzurri’s reach after the Americans took initial control in the opening 10 minutes.

The test for Kerr’s crew gets tougher after this, though, with a Final Four outing against either unbeaten Germany or giant-slaying Latvia up ahead. The Germans and the Latvians dispute a semis seat today as well as Canada against Slovenia with superstar Luka Doncic.

Tyrese Haliburton (18) and crowd favorite Austin Reaves (12) also produced double-digit scores for the USA youngsters, tasked with bringing back the Naismith Trophy the country relinquished in 2019.

Meanwhile, Lithuania’s dream start in Manila ended in a nightmare at the hands of a Serbian side inspired by a sick comrade.

Using a lethal combo of hot-shooting and stifling defensive pressure, the motivated Serbians crashed the party of the erstwhile unbeaten Lithuanians, 87-68, to punch a ticket to the semis.

Bogdan Bogdanovic played his role as Serbia’s spiritual leader to perfection, firing 10 in anchoring a telling 25-13 exchange that lifted the world No. 6 to a 49-38 tear at the halftime break.

It was an emotional victory for the Serbians, who drew inspiration from Borisa Simanic, their teammate who was operated on and lost a kidney after receiving an elbow from South Sudan’s Nuni Omot in the second round.

“I saw the message from Borisa telling us ‘Hey guys, I’m good. Let’s win tonight,’” shared Bogdanovic.