Adedokun Waliyu 
Canada is moving on to the semifinals at the FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 31 points in Canada’s 100-89 win over Slovenia today at the Manila Mall of Asia Arena. RJ Barrett chipped in with 24 points and nine rebounds of his own to help Canada reach the semis
Slovenia needed a win to have a shot to secure an Olympic berth this year. It will now have to play in a last-chance qualifying event next year.
Slovenia’s star point guard Luka Doncic gave Canada trouble all game but was disqualified midway through the fourth quarter after receiving his second technical foul of the contest. He finished with 26 points, five assists and four rebounds before being ejected.
Canada’s star defender Dillon Brooks was also removed from the game early after being assessed a disqualifying foul to start the final quarter.
Tied 50-50 at halftime, Canada outscored Slovenia by nine in the third quarter to take an 80-71 lead into the fourth. The Canadians pushed the lead to 17 at one point in the fourth before Slovenia cut the lead to single digits late in the quarter.
Canada will next play Serbia on Friday morning. Germany will take on the United States in the other semifinal.
Medal games are scheduled for Sunday.
This will be Canada’s best-ever result at this competition. Canada finished sixth in 1978 and 1982.
Canada qualified for the Paris Olympics last weekend with a three-point victory over Spain.
