Team USA dinomina ang Serbia para sa Olympic gold medal

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Ibi­nigay ng United States ang golden send-off para kay coach Mike Krzyzews­ki matapos durugin ang Ser­bia, 96-66, at angkinin ang ikatlong sunod na Olympic men’s basketball gold medal.

Kaagad kinuha ng mga Americans ang malaking 52-29 abante sa halftime patungo sa kanilang ika-25 sunod na panalo sa Olympic hardwood.

Pinamunuan ni Kevin Du­rant ang atake ng Team USA sa kanyang 30 points, tampok ang 24 markers sa opening half, habang hu­makot si DeMarcus Cou­sins ng 15 rebounds.

“To go home as gold me­dalists and leave Coach K off with another gold was one of our main goals as well,” sabi ni Durant, mag­lalaro para sa Golden State Warriors sa darating na NBA season. “I’m excited we got the chance to do this and play with such great pla­yers, and I’m on cloud nine right now for sure.”

Ito ang huling pagkaka­taon na hahawakan ni Krzy­zewski ang U.S. na igi­niya niya sa ikatlong dikit na Olympic gold medal.

Tinulungan ni Krzy­zews­ki  ang Team USA na magposte ng 88-1 record sa international competition.

Ang tanging mantsa sa kartada ni ‘Coach K’ ay ang semifinal loss sa Greece noong 2006 World Championships.

“For me, this (gold) ranks just like the others,” wi­ka ni Krzyzewski. “I’ve been really a lucky guy, collegiately and internationally to be part of championship teams.”

“I think the way these pla­yers have felt, they’re gi­ven an opportunity to play for their country and you make the most of it,” dag­dag pa nito.

Ito rin ang huling laro ni captain Carmelo Anthony para sa US Olympic team.

Ang tanging four-time Olympian ng US men’s bas­ketball, bibitbitin ni An­thony ang tatlong gold me­dals, mga U.S. team re­cords at isang bronze me­dal.

“I think I’ve given enough to Team USA bas­ket­ball,” ani Anthony. “As much as I’m going to miss it, I think it’s time to pass it on to some of the guys who have been on the team this year.”

“So for me, I’m ha­nging these things up U.S. basketball-wise,” dagdag pa ng New York Knicks star.

Napasama naman si­na Kyrie Irving at Klay Thompson sa exclusive club ng basketball matapos maging pang-walo at siyam na players na na­nalo ng Olympic at FIBA World Championship gold at isang NBA title.