Dominican Republic beat Puerto Rica 103-89; Clinch third position in 2011 FIBA Americas Championship
Six players scored in double figures for the Dominican Republic, which scored at 68.5 percent from the floor, to shot out Puerto Rica 103-89 in the third-fourth position playoff game in the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship.
The Dominicans were led by Atlanta Hawks star Al Horford, who erupted 23 points, a game-high 12 rebounds, 7 assists, two blocks and two steals. Jack Michael Martinez ended just one rebound short of a double-double with 21 points
and 9 boards. Francisco Garcia had 18; Ronald Ramon canned 17 while Eulis Baez and Luis Flores finished with 10 points apiece.
The Puerto Ricans were led by their 7 ft 1 in centre Daniel Santiago, who pounded a game high 26 points and 6 rebounds. Boston Celtics player Carlos Arroyo followed with 24 points and also dished out seven assists. Small forward
Holland chipped in with 13 points while Dallas Mavericks star Jose Juan Barea ended the night on a disappointing 3 of 11 shooting for 11 points and 4 assists.
Although the Puerto Rican matched the Dominicans in rebounds, assists, and had 7 less turnovers on the night, they failed to match their opponents’ intensity on the shooting and this was what made the difference in the end.
The Puerto Ricans were rattled early in the game. The Dominicans after making a strong 4-0 start, allowed Puerto Rica to make it 7-5 at the 6:46 mark. However, what followed was a procession of layups, jumpers and some pin point
three point shooting from them as they raced to a 20-7 burst to end the frame, 15 points ahead at 27-12.
The Dominicans then started with a 7 points unanswered run in the second quarter to increase their advantage to 34-12. Santiago slipped in two consecutive layups to halt the Dominican surge, but Horford Garcia and Baez combined
for six straight points as the differential rocketed to 25 points.
Puerto Rica managed to keep pace with the Dominican in the rest of the second period and went to the break staring at a huge 53-29 deficit.
Horford knocked down a three right at the start of the second half to make it 56-29, but Puerto Rica managed to come to grips in the third and outscored the Dominicans 39-27 to enter the final period trailing by 80-68.
The Dominican team hung tough in the final 10 minutes. They countered to every Puerto Rican attempt and never allowed them any space to mount a fight back.
Both the teams will now feature in the Olympic qualifying round in July next year.
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