At seventy-four years old, Svetislav Pesic remains in remarkable shape, looking younger than his years. The Balkan coach, dressed in national team sweatpants, watches Serbia’s national team from the sidelines at the Ninoy Aquino sports complex in Manila, pausing only to offer a precise directive to his players.
These are the final moments before the first World Cup semifinal this Friday, with Canada scheduled to meet Serbia at 10:45. A clash expected after an order from Catalan coach Jordi Fernandez, who has stood out across the basketball landscape, even when facing teams led by Spain or Luka Doncic’s Slovenia.
“Hello, how are you?” greets the veteran technician in surprisingly fluent Castilian as he speaks to a special correspondent from this newspaper in Barcelona. This marked his second chapter with the club, sealing it with two Cup titles in 2020 before the Jasikevicius era began. His connection with the Catalan capital remains, noting that his daughter now lives there and they visit occasionally.
Pesic once again leads Serbia to the World Cup semifinals
Smiles illuminate the Serbian camp as the journey to the semifinals rekindles a national dream where basketball is more than a pastime — it is a devotion. Pesic explains that the initial objective was to reach the Games, and that aim has become attainable again with the team now dreaming of a podium and a shot at Paris. He framed the recent international effort as a preparation to participate in the Olympics, a focal point of the current generation.
Historically, Serbia has previously reached the podium, capturing a silver at EuroBasket in Türkiye. Since then the results have fluctuated, drawing sharp criticism. Pesic has faced departures and turnover with patience. A year ago there were eliminations in Europe that sparked a wave of calls for a breakthrough; now the team is climbing once more.
“Serbia is a basketball nation where opinions flow freely, not unlike Barcelona where many coaches have come and gone. Over time you learn to live with these perspectives and sometimes learn from the critique. Twenty years ago the pressure affected me more than it does today.”
notable absences
There was little doubt about the other semifinalists. The United States and Canada, alongside rising Germany, appeared in all groups. The Serbian lineup faced the challenge of missing Nikola Jokic, the NBA MVP, and Vasilije Micic, the Oklahoma City Thunder newcomer who seemed set to depart. Yet around Bogdan Bogdanovic and Milutinov Serbia built a team that projected a strong image at the World Cup.
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“We are playing with cohesion and the tournament has helped us understand each other better,” Pesic notes. “We do not rely on individual brilliance because some key players could not participate. From day one our plan was to become a collective unit and, if possible, to challenge defensively. We have been satisfied with the results so far.”
Pesic speaks with respect about Canada, his semifinal opponent, acknowledging their strength and depth. He comments on their style, describing a team that plays with four guards and one big, featuring NBA-caliber players and a strong offensive system. He stresses that they are a physically demanding opponent, but the Serbian squad is prepared to meet the challenge at the same level of intensity.
That calm confidence reflects Pesic’s enduring love for the game. The veteran coach remains as passionate as when he began coaching in the mid-90s. “I am still happy. It is my passion. There is no other reason to be here.”