SGA: Canada is 'well-tested' for Olympic quarterfinals

After conquering an Olympic group featuring Spain, Australia, and Greece, Canada's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander likes his country's chances in the men's basketball quarterfinals.

"I think we're well-tested, well-tested for the next round," Gilgeous-Alexander said after Team Canada's 88-85 win over Spain, according to CBC. "Obviously good teams await in the next round. We think we're just as good and we're ready to go against whoever."

Canada went undefeated against what was dubbed the "Group of Death" in the opening stages of the Paris Games, beginning with a 7-point victory over Giannis Antetokounmpo and Greece. Three days later, the Canadians secured a 10-point victory over Australia, FIBA's fifth-ranked team in the world.

Team Canada eliminated Spain with the win, marking the second-straight Olympics where La Roja, the second-best team in the FIBA rankings, won't play for a medal.

Despite leading for the majority of the game, the Canadians' lead was cut to one point with 2.7 seconds left. Gilgeous-Alexander eventually went to the line to seal the game, capping off his 20-point performance.

"Obviously they got hot late in the game," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "They're a good team, that's what's going to happen with good players, best players in the world. We're at the Olympics, but we did a good job of finding a way to win. We got enough stops, not as many as we would like, but we got enough to get a W."

Team Canada's quarterfinal opponent has yet to be determined. If Serbia beats South Sudan by more than three points and the United States beats Puerto Rico, the Canadian side will likely face host country France in a rematch of the 2000 quarterfinals. The former team lost by five in that game, which marked the last time it appeared at the Olympics.