Canada opens the 3×3 World Cup basketball tournament with pair of wins

BOCAUE, Philippines – Canada booked its spot in the quarterfinals of the FIBA 3×3 World Cup with another pair of victories on Monday.

Michael Linklater, Steve Sir, Jermaine Bucknor and Michael Lieffers defeated host Philippines 20-19 then dispatched No. 6 Brazil 22-4 to remain undefeated in the tournament.

Canada will face the Netherlands in Tuesday’s quarterfinals.

Linklater led the way against the Philippines with a team-high nine points, hitting the go-ahead basket in the back-and-forth game as time ran out for the host team. Bucknor and Lieffers chipped in with five apiece.

Sir and Lieffers had eight points apiece against Brazil.

Basketball’s 3×3 version will make its Olympic debut in Tokyo in 2020.