Dubai: Two-time defending champions USA weathered a storm from plucky Serbia 89-68 to book their place for a third successive final of the Fiba U17 World Championship, which is due to conclude at the Hamdan Sports Complex on Saturday.

The USA were pushed hard by the Europeans before coming away with a hard-fought win to earn a clash against the winner of the second semi-final between Australia and Spain, which was due to be played later on Friday.

The Americans got off to a typically fast start to take a 24-16 lead at the end of the opening quarter. But with 4.02 minutes remaining in the second period, a Aleksandar Aranitovic charity saw the two teams tied at 28-28.

Egged on by the crowd, the underdogs took the lead for the first time as Stefan Peno found his triple sail in effortlessly to move 31-29 clear.

However, the USA dug in deep and went into the half-time break with a three-point cushion 39-36.

In the third quarter, the Americans outscored their opponents 20 points to 12 to keep a handy 11-point lead going into the final period of play, with the score reading 59-48 in favour of the defending champions.

The final quarter was more controlled, with skipper Malik Newman pulling the Americans away with a couple of shots from outside the ring to enjoy a comfortable 20-point lead at 70-50.

After that, it was business as usual as the USA finally ended with a 21-point cushion at 89-68.

Earlier in the day, it was a case of the forwards sharing the limelight as Canada stayed in the hunt for fifth place with a convincing 92-81 win over Asian champions China.

Forward Yan Hao Zhao outscored all with his 25 points, which included three assists and a couple of rebounds, but Eddie Ekiyor had 21 points, including nine rebounds and an assist in Canada’s win.

Canada will now meet Puerto Rico in their last match of this competition to decide the fifth-placed team.

Puerto Rico, who were shock winners against semi-finalists Spain on the opening day, trailed France in three quarters before coming alive in the final period for a 70-63 win.

Saturday is the final day of the competition and all places will be decided.

The classification games from Position 9 to 16 will be decided at the Al Shabab Club, while the top-eight teams will be in action at the Hamdan Sports Complex.

Hosts the UAE will be up against the Philippines to decide who ends at the bottom of the 16-team competition.