BOCAUE, Bulacan — World No. 10 Italy overcame a slow start to roll back hard-fighting Angola, 81-67, in the opening game of the FIBA World Cup 2023 at the Philippine Arena here Friday.

NBA star Simone Fontecchio and Stefano Tonut provided the 1-2 punch for the Italians, who broke away midway in the fourth quarter to escape with the much-needed victory in their Group A encounter

Fontecchio, the 6-7 forward who plays for the Utah Jazz, finished with 19 points on 8-of-14 shooting, while Tonut added 18 points Fontecchio also had three boards, two assists, one steal, and one block for the Italians, who are heavily favored to sweep their group following a remarkable 7-0 record in their tune-up matches leading to the World Cup.

Giampaolo Ricci contributed 12 markers.

Childe Dundao topscored for Angola with 19 points, while NBA veteran Bruno Fernando of the Atlanta Hawks’ had 12 points.

The game was close for three quarters, with Angola even taking an early 9-2 advantage.

The Italians, however, battled their way back to take a 43-41 lead at halftime.

Ricci then nailed a crucial three -pointer to give the Italians a 72-64 advantage.

A Fontecchio layup following a turnover by Angola led to a 77-67 spread with only two minutes remaining.

Elsewhere, Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Australia demolished Finland, 98-72, in Group E action played in Okinawa, Japan.

NBA veteran Patty Mills of the Atlanta Hawks finished with a game-high 25 points and eight assists, while Josh Giddey of the Oklahoma City Thunder added a near triple double of 14 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists for the Australians.

Joe Ingles added 13 points and Dante Exum had 10 points for Australia, which had nine NBA players in its line-up.

Utah Jazz mainstay Lauri Markkanen led the way for Finland with 19 points and eight boards in a losing effort.

Over at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Montenegro routed Mexico, 91-71, in Group D.

NBA All-Star Nikola Vucevic was the leading man for Montenegro, finishing with 27 points on 11-of-15 shooting and 10 rebounds.

Kendrick Perry added 16 points, and Nikola Ivanovic contributed 14 points for Montenegro, which will next play Egypt on Sunday.

Mexico was led by Pako Cruz (16 points), Joshua Ibarra (13 points) and Fabian James (12 points).

In Jakarta, Latvia blasted Lebanon, 109-70, in Group H behind Dairis Bertan’s 20 points and Rolands Smits’ 17 points and seven rebounds.