Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico win: 2011 FIBA Americas Championship Sep. 5 Review (Part 1)
Dominican Republic 92 – Panama 68
Dominican Republic trounced past Panama 92-68 in the first game of the second round of 2011 FIBA Americas Championship on Monday. Dominican Republic that achieved the first spot in Group-A during preliminary round defeated Panama
without any difficulty.
Their point guard Luis Flores guided them with his commendable performance that includes 17 points and five assists that came in 24 minutes of his stay on the court. Team-mate Francisco Garcia helped the cause by tallying 15 points
along with two rebounds and two assists.
However, the wining team also received a setback with this game, as Edgar Sosa got injured during the play. According to the initial medical reports he had an open fracture on his leg and received treatment on immediate basis.
Both teams took their time to settle in, before Dominican Republic made the break through and grabbed the lead 12-10 with their spurt within the first five minutes of the game, with the help of some effective outside shooting by
Flores and Charlie Villanueva, while Jack Michael Martinez took care of the opposition from the paint.
However, Panama’s Danilo Augustin Pinnock made two fast break points and bridged the gap to 21-17, when the first quarter closed with Dominican Republic leading the way.
Dominican Republic gave an even better performance in the second quarter and outperformed Rasario’s team (coach of Panama) with their 23-13 burst. Dominican Republic went into the lockers for the halftime with 44-30 advantage.
Dominican Republic raised the bar in the third quarter, as they carried the groove from the first half and left Panama way behind with their 31-19 run during the period. By the time the third frame ended the difference reached
26 points with a score of 75-49.
Dominican Republic that looked insistent right from the beginning fell relaxed in the final quarter of the game. As they scored just 17 points, their lowest total during a period in comparison to Panama’s 19 points. Still the first
three quarters lead was too high for Panama that they need more than a miracle to cover the gap.
From Panama, Pinnock was the leading scorer, who made game-high 23 points together with six rebounds and four assists, during his 38 minute stay on court.
Puerto Rico 94 – Venezuela 82
Daniel Santiago marshalled Puerto Rico, as they overpowered Venezuela in a 94-82 victory in the second game of the day. Flor Melendez’s team (Puerto Rico coach) dominated the opposition both from the inside and from the three-point
range.
Santiago led the way with his game-high 22 points that came in just 20 minutes duration, which he spent on the hard wood. Besides Santiago, Alexander Rodriguez chipped in with 18 points.
Both teams looked sluggish in the start, as they were inconsistent with their performance. Although both teams enjoyed the lead during the course, but Venezuela was more accurate in their shooting, which allowed them to finally
led Puerto Rico by 19-18 at the close of first.
The cold shooting continued in the second quarter too. However, Puerto Rico showed some good ball movements and created more chances not only to reclaim the lead back but also race to 44-36 when the first half ended.
The first half lead boosted Puerto Ricans tremendously and they came hard on Venezuela in the third period. Santiago, Galindo and Barea helped the Puerto Rican side when they were in really need of it, as Venezuela notched the
lead down to just two, but these three stretched the lead to 13. Puerto Rico finished the third quarter with a 75-57 advantage.
Venezuela showed some aggression in the final period of the game, but it was too late as Santiago and company wiped out their chances to win the game. Puerto Rico won the game by a 12-point margin.
Axiers Sucre was the major contributor for Venezuela with 18 points and three rebounds.
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