'NBA player for a reason': Filip Petrusev on his best NT night and crazy Aleksa / News - Basketnews.com

Filip Petrusev said the World Cup quarterfinal game against Lithuania was his best wearing a Serbia national team jersey.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Filip Petrusev had a standout performance with the Serbia senior national team jersey, scoring 17 points, grabbing six rebounds, and dishing out two assists in just 17 minutes in the World Cup quarterfinal victory over Lithuania.

Player of the Game EFF 25 Bogdan Bogdanovic Points 21 Accuracy 9-13 Rebounds 4 Assists 3

"You have to ask him," Marko Guduric smiled when asked if Petrusev had the best night wearing a senior national team jersey.

"But I like the way he played. He took a challenge playing against Valanciunas and Motiejunas. Amazing game. He's in the NBA for a reason," Serbia national team veteran added.

Filip Petrusev smiled when he heard the question.

"On the biggest stage, for sure. I had an injury in the first games, so I'm still physically not where I'm supposed to be. But I'm glad I could help Milutinov, who had so much work today in defense guarding Valanciunas. For me, it was an opportunity to step in, especially in offense," Petrusev said.

Serbia limited Valanciunas to 11 points and 4 rebounds in 19 minutes of play. Furthermore, the Serbian team displayed dominance by outscoring Lithuania by a substantial margin in the paint, recording a 48-24 advantage.

"We were tough with him. We didn't let him go to his spots. Milutinov has a huge body and was the first to make it hard on him. He was making him tired. And when he got tired, playing with the backup bigs was easier," Petrusev analyzed.

He also praised Bogdan Bogdanovic, who emerged as the top scorer of the night with an impressive 21 points.

"He just broke the ice, and we followed the lead. He even got me going, setting a screen for my three-pointer, which isn't even our play. He gets everybody going. He's a good captain," Petrusev said to Basketnews.

During the interview, there was a sudden burst of excitement at the start of the mixed zone.

It was none other than Aleksa Avramovic, with his energy, that filled the room. He also playfully videobombed Petrusev's interview.

"He's just crazy with his energy. He has the craziest energy out there... You saw it," Petrusev laughed.

Avramovic had 8 points and four steals in 14 minutes.

"That's the first time we play together, and it feels great," Petrusev added.

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