EDMONTON-
It was a David versus Goliath match. But this time, David did not emerge victorious.
Canada remained the only undefeated team in the Americas Zone FIBA World Cup Qualifier, beating Panama 112-71 on Sunday night at the Edmonton Expo Centre.
Canada, now 10-0, qualified for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 on Thursday with an emphatic win over Venezuela.
Panama move to 2-8 and find themselves bottom of the qualifying group.
Canada was led by a 22-point performance and two assists from Aaron Best. Kassius Robertson had 13 points and three assists.
Panama got 14 points and nine rebounds from Ernesto Ogilvie.
Canada beat Panama in an entirely different way from how it beat Venezuela. Against the Venezuelans, the Canadians dominated the cup, and extended possession with offensive rebounds. On Sunday, Canada didn’t need to be great rebounders, they were just great shooters.
As a team, Canada shot 53 percent against the Panamanians, while holding the visitors to a 39 percent shooting accuracy rate.
Canada’s 12 players are listed on the score sheet.
Sunday’s game had the feeling of a post-qualifying celebration. A 10-0 run late in the first quarter affirmed Canada’s dominance, and fans were thrilled to see a Canadian team try and score some baskets like it was an all-star game.
I felt like every time Canada fell apart, the home team was interested in putting on a show.
Trae Bell-Haynes gasped the crowd when his cross dribbling left Panamanian defender Eugenio Bocaz on the ground. Center Connor Morgan finished off a circus pass from Kassius Robertson with a thunderous dunk. Melvin Ejim launched a thunderous dunk after a quick break. Thomas Scrubb threw a cross fastball to his brother, Phil Scrubb, who passed it to Robertson for a three. Jean-Victor Mukama kicked a dunk after rising above the rim for a rebound.
For a group of Canadian players who don’t play in the NBA, who aren’t household names, it was a chance to show just how deep this country is when it comes to basketball talent.
And, the Canadians rained down three-point territory, shooting a total of 19 from behind the arc.
NEXT FOR CANADA
The players all return to their club teams. Canada’s next FIBA qualifier is scheduled for February 23, 2023, away to No. 4-ranked Argentina.
REMARKS
Canada is ranked 15th by FIBA, Panama is 51st. | Panama came to Canada after an 83-79 loss to the Bahamas on November 11. | Canada defeated Panama 106-50 on August 29 in Panama City. | Jahvon Blair was added to Canada’s roster for the match against Panama, replacing full-back Kenny Chery, who had to return to Turkey after Thursday’s win over Venezuela due to club commitments.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on November 13, 2022.
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