LUKA Magic in Manila.

That’s because Luka Doncic, one of the more popular players in the NBA while playing for the Dallas Mavericks, is coming to play.

His team, Slovenia, became one of the first four countries to advance to the quarfterfinal roundof the FIBA World Cup 2023, joining five-time champion United States, Lithuani aand Germany.

All four teams are also the only remaining teams with perfect 4-0 win-loss records.

Slovenia and Germany, led by its own NBA star Dennis Schroder, clash for the No 1. spot in Group K in Okinawa on Sunday.

Regardless of the outcome of their highly-anticipated match, both Slovenia and Germany are assured of quarterfinal berths in Manila.

And Doncic, who averaged 30 points, eight rebounds and seven assists per game in Slovenia’s three victories in the first round of play, is expected to make thing even more interesting when he takes the floor at the SM Mall of Asia Arena starting Sept. 6.

A four-time NBA All-Star and former Rookie of the Year in 2019, the 6-7 forward finished with 19 points on 4-of-9 shooting, seven rebounds, and six assists in Slovenia’s vengeful 91-80 win over Australia at the Okinawa Arena.

It was sweet revenge for the Slovenians, who lost to the same Australian team, 93-107, in the battle for the bronze medal in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

In Manila, Slovenia will meet either the No. 1 or No. 2 team from Group L.

All four Group L teams — Canada, Spain, Brazil and Latvia — have similar 3-1 records.

Canada will battle Spain and Brazil will play Latvia on Sunday to determine the top two teams of the group.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya