OQTM - Africa impresses on Day 1

CARACAS (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament) - The game of Day 1 was in Group D, where perennial Olympians Angola made a clear statement of their intention to return to sport’s holy grail.

The Africans burst out to a 17-point second-quarter lead against the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (MKD), with guard Olimpio Cipriano (23 points, 5 rebounds) scoring 11 dazzling points for the period.

But MKD scoring machine Bo McCalebb (21 points, 4 assists) led a second-half charge that reduced the margin to two points late in the game.

Ultimately though, the power of Eduardo Mingas (24 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds) and some hard-nosed defence were enough to secure an 88-84 victory for Angola.

The most intense game of the day matched Group B rivals Venezuela against Nigeria in front of a sold out Poliedro de Caracas.

While it appeared a stunning third-quarter cameo from Venezuelan star Greivis Vasquez (24 points) had secured victory, Nigeria charged back from an 11-point deficit to take the lead early in the final term.

Vasquez then made a series of classy drives against the tough Nigerian defence – which spectacularly blocked eight shots – to extend the margin.

Nigeria refused to give in, closing the gap repeatedly and then creating a shot to send the game into overtime in the dying seconds.

But an enormous block from Hector Romero (10 points, 4 rebounds) sealed the win and sent the crowd into delirium.

Ike Diogu (14 points, 10 rebounds) and Anthony Skinn (10 points, 4 assists, 3 steals) led the way for Nigeria.

In the earlier games, Russia easily accounted for Korea in Group C despite a sloppy start where they conceded 16 turnovers and 11 offensive rebounds in the first half.

The Europeans prevailed 91-56, led by Andrey Kirilenko’s 16 points and six rebounds, with captain Sergey Monya provided strong support with 14 points and six rebounds.

For Korea, only centre Seung Jun Lee (aka Eric Sandrin) (15 points) reached double figures.

Greece delivered an ominous warning with an efficient 107-63 dismantling of an undermanned Jordan in Group A.

The Greeks nailed 29-of-38 from two-point range and won the boards 51-21 as Jordan found no answer for their size, ruthless execution and speed in the open court.

Young gun Kostas Papanikolaou (19 points, 5 rebounds) led five players in double figures for the victors, while Enver Soobzokov was Jordan’s best contributor with 14 points and four assists.

FIBA