Tavares' 8-for-8 shooting too much for Uganda
With his 8-for-8 shooting, Tavares not only recorded the highest 2pt field goal percentage by any player in the African Qualifiers, but he also helped Cape Verde to retake the lead in Group A
KIGALI (Rwanda) - Another stellar performance from Walter Tavares, another win for Cape verde, who advanced to the Second Round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 African Qualifiers with the best record in Group A.
With his 8-for-8 shooting, Tavares not only recorded the highest 2pt field goal percentage by any player in the African Qualifiers, but he also helped Cape Verde to retake the group lead thanks to an 87-78 win against Uganda.
Tavares was so impactful in the game that even when he fouled out with 3:34 minutes left and Cape Verde up by 17 (80-63), Uganda, who trailed by as many as 21 points, used a 13-0 run to cut the deficit to 80-76 with 41 seconds left.
Uganda did everything possible to force Tavares out of his comfort zone, but the Real Madrid center was simply exceptional, finishing with 21 points, 6 reboubds, 2 blocks in just 26:50 minutes.
"Our plan was to keep Walter Tavares out but that did not happen as we got really hurt in the process. I think the players deserve commendation for coming back from a 21 points deficit. We fought hard and will fight harder in our next game," said Uganda's Ishmail Wainright at the post-match press conference.
Williams Tavares, Joel Almeida and Fidel Mendonca combined for 47 Cape Verde points as the islanders are headed to the 12-nation Second Round with a 3-1.
The tiny Island country continue to make it big on the African continent as they recorded a second consecutive victory in their second game on Saturday.
Though, already through after their win over Nigeria on Gameday 1, Cape Verde left nothing to chance as they kept the pressure on the Silverbacks who came with the confidence of winning their first encounter last November at the back of their minds.
While Uganda prepared for Taraves, Williams Tavares tormented Uganda with his unstopabble drives to the basket.
He later told FIBA.baketball : "I want to thank God that I am here to represent my country. I also want to thank my teammates for believing in me to get the job done."
Cape Verde head coach Emanuel Trovoada while commending Williams Tavares said he is a player that loves to be there for his country noting that his side had to come out differently against Uganda.
"Against Uganda, we knew we lost them in November and needed to play differently. Victory for us was important and we got the young players delivering when it mattered the most.
Wainright admitted that they prepared for Cape Verde but fell below expectations.
The Phoenix player finished with a team-high 21 points, Robinson Opong, Deng John Geu and Arthur Kaluma combined for 41 points, but the night belonged to the Tavares.
Cape Verde, Nigeria and Uganda are however through to the Second Round following the disqualification of Mali.
FIBA