Bogdanovic cites pressure to always play better for Serbia

MANILA, Philippines – Despite Serbia shooting its way to the quarterfinals, Bogdan Bogdanovic underscored their need to play better as the race to the finals heats up.

Asked how Serbia could go to the semifinals of the tournament as they face Lithuania, the sweet-shooting guard said they need to play better "every single game."

Lithuania is on top of Group J after stunning USA also on Sunday.

"We need to play better. We need to play every single game," he told reporters after their win over the Dominican Republic.

"[We have to play] our game and [go back to] the way we play," he added.

Serbia went to the quarterfinals even without two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic.

"We always have to prove that we are Team Serbia. When we play for Serbia, we always have to prove it," Bogdanovic said.

"It is always challenging, there is always pressure [to play for Serbia]," he added.

Bogdanovic scored 20 points in the game against the Dominican Republic, making all of his seven attempts from the field.

This is a big turnaround from his 4-of-16 shooting in Serbia's loss against Italy, where he missed all but one of his 13 3-point attempts.

"I said, after that night against Italy, it is not possible to shoot 1-of-13 again from three. I guess, my lucky number is seven, seven from seven, front and back," he said.

"I'm just enjoying the victory. I'm proud with the way we responded after that loss. It was tough. Mentally tough two days, we were thinking about every mistake," he added.

Lithuania and Serbia will kick off the quarterfinals of the world cup on Tuesday at the MOA Arena.

The game will be a direct knockout affair.