Day 3 recap: Franca outlast Ignite, set up Final against Bonn

SINGAPORE (Singapore) - It will be Europe BCLA champions against BCL champions in the Final of the FIBA Intercontinental Cup Singapore 2023 on Sunday, as Sesi Franca defeated NBA G League Ignite to win Group A, Telekom Baskets Bonn swept everyone on their way to the top of Group B with a comfortable win over Zhejiang Golden Bulls.

NBA G League Ignite arrived with one of the deepest-looking rosters  at this event, but what should be said about Sesi Franca's depth then?

It was Lucas Dias, Marcio Santos and David Jackson who all scored 20+ in their first game in the Singapore Indoor Stadium, and on Saturday coach Helinho Rubens found another two pieces of puzzle to send them to a 98-89 win over Ignite.

Jhonatan Dos Santos scored 19 points knocking down four threes, and added 8 rebounds, while Georginho De Paula also poured in 19, torturing the defense with his lefty drives throughout the game.

"We had a great game offensively, they have a lot of good players, but we have a great core, that knows how to play unselfish. That's what made the difference," Georginho said.

"It will be all or nothing tomorrow, we're gonna leave everything on the floor. It's going to be my last game for Franca, it's gonna be very special, my last dance," he added. He will leave for Germany after the game, joining German League winners Ratiopharm Ulm.

Ignite got 15 points from London Johnson and John Jenkins, Jeremy Pargo scored 14, while potential top pick of the 2024 NBA Draft Ron Holland finished with 10 points in just 12 minutes of action, struggling with foul trouble.

Ignite will play in the fifth-place game on Sunday, against  Al Manama.

Bonn reach century mark

Franca are the Basketball Champions League Americas winners, and they get to test the Basketball Champions League Europe title holders in the championship game. That's because Telekom Baskets Bonn defeated Zhejiang Golden Bulls 111-50 in the last game of Group B.

Bonn finished 2-0 in the group by going over the 100 mark in both games, and allowing only a combined 100 points in their two clashes. All 12 Bonn players scored for coach Roel Moors, led once again by Sam Griesel with 16 in 22 minutes, knocking down four threes for a total of 10-of-15 shooting from three-point range in those two games.

Harald Frey did a bit of everything with 10 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds.

"We have so many guys contributing, this award (for the player of the game) could've gone to five of six other guys. When we play basketball like this, it's a lot of fun," the lefty point guard said.

"It starts with the chemistry we built off the court, we're a group of guys that really like to be around each other and we wanna see each other succeed. We don't really care who gets the stats as long as we get the win."

Reginald Perry scored 10 points and was the only Golden Bull in double figures. Zhejiang will play for third spot on Sunday, facing Al Ahly from Egypt.

FIBA