Spain comes first for Gasol: ''These are the values and legacy we've been taught''

BEIJING (China) - Spain know that if not for a Patty Mills free throw miss late in regulation, their Semi-Finals could have ended very differently. Instead, there was a happy ending to a double-overtime drama in Beijing, as the Spanish escaped with a narrow victory. 

Not surprisingly, the Spaniards were elated at the game's final outcome.

Having put together a herculean effort of 33 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks, Marc Gasol was the star of the show but emphasized the team effort in the come-from-behind win that will go down as one of the most exciting games of the history of the competition. 

"I knew this wasn't going to be easy, but it's completely worth it," Gasol spoke of returning to the Final of the FIBA Basketball World Cup after a 13-year absence with a team that may not have the same look but has certainly kept the same values and mentality.

"It's not just because we'll play in the Final, but because of having the opportunity to pass on the commitment and loyalty to the national team. These are the values and legacy we've been taught."

"WINNING FEEDS THE ABILITY TO KEEP WINNING." - Sergio Scariolo

"We just wanted to fight no matter what, to the last second," Spain forward Victor Claver said. "We are so happy to be in the Final. I don't think a lot of people were expecting us to be here, but we are."

It certainly wasn't easy. Spain had to battle back from as many as 11 points down to force not one but two overtimes and eventually take over when the Boomers seemed they already ran out of gas.

"Overtime was hard, but I think we selected better shots and just defended the best we can," said Rudy Fernandez. "Our intensity in the overtime, especially on defense, I think that's what also made a difference in the victory. For now, we will rest and prepare for the Final."

This was Spain's seventh win of the tournament, and they march on to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Final for the first time since 2006, which was also when they last raised the trophy.

When asked about why his team are so good when it comes to winning big games, Spain head coach Sergio Scariolo simply pointed to an oft-spoken truth in sport - winning is a habit.

"Winning feeds the ability to keep winning," he said. "The more Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and Finals you win, the more you know how to manage it, how to execute, when is the right moment to be strong and to pull back, how to win. Some of our players have been in many of those close games, and they have been great leaders of our team, especially for our young and talented players who are still learning."

Speaking of habits, it seems that getting best of Australia is slowly becoming a habit for the Spaniards, who narrowly beat Australia in the bronze medal game at the Rio 2016 Olympics and needed two extra sessions here in Beijing. The competitive fire existing between the teams has sparked this new bona fide international basketball rivalry that will surely cause sparks to fly each time they meet on the hardwood.

"We respect Australia so much, and we have a nice rivalry which is going on between these two teams," Scariolo described. "Fortunately, these two times we ended up winning, but both times the game was so close that you have to give them credit for this. And in my opinion, this makes it an even bigger compliment for what our players did."

"Their heart and competitiveness were there throughout the 50 minutes of tonight's game. So I want to congratulate my players not only for their effort and character but also for their capacity of remaining calm and making good decisions down the stretch."

FIBA