FIBA Americas C’ Ship 2011 Sep.8 Review - Panama end Canada’s Olympic hopes; Venezuela down Uruguay
Panama 91 – Canada 89
Courtesy some brilliant outside play, Panama was able to edge out Canada 91-89 in the second round of the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship. With this win, Panama diminished the chances of Canada making into the World Olympics Qualifiers.
Panama’s Gary Forbes led all scorers in the game with his extra ordinary 39 points contribution. Forbes played for entire 40 minutes, clutched five rebounds and handed out six assists for Panama. His dominant play from the stripe (11 of 13) shattered Canada.
For Canada, Carl English thumped 24 points and remained leading scorer of the side. His team-mate Andrew Jay Rautins added 14 points, three assists and made four steals too for the losing side.
Panama took the lead straight away with their four point run. However, the North Americans quickly chased Panama down with a 3-7 run and stretched the difference with Levon Kendall’s three-pointer. Canada maintained the momentum and seized the period in their favour 27-24.
The contest between the two sides got more intense in the second quarter as the lead started to change hands on a consistent basis. Eventually, Panama made the break through with Forbes’ five unanswered points that put them ahead of Canada. By the time, the first half ended, Panama led the Canadian by a slender 49-48 margin.
The battle for dominance continued in the third quarter as well. Panama got ahead midway through the period, but Carl English and Tyrone Shepherd struck late and enabled Canada to tie the scores at 70, when it finished.
In the final quarter, Forbes again came to the fore. He gave Panama a five-point lead with his two long range missiles, with just 16 seconds to go. With time running out on their Olympics hopes, Rautins hit the final three-pointer right at the buzzer for Canada to make it 91-89.
That however, was not good enough.
Venezuela 92 – Uruguay 80
On Thursday, Venezuela overcame Uruguay 92-80 and in doing so booked a fifth spot in the Olympic Qualifiers.
Hector Romero was top scorer from the winning squad. He punched 23 points in his 33 minutes stay on the court. His contributions also included four rebounds and three assists. Team-mates Oscar Torres and Greivis Vasquez tallied 18 points apiece.
Esteban Batista was major contributor for team Uruguay. He scored 22 points along with eight rebounds while Martin Osimani and Leandro Garcia made 18 points each for Uruguay.
The game started on an even note. The trend continued throughout the first 10 minutes, which ended with the scores tied at 23. In the second quarter, Venezuela poured in some fast break points and eventually they got hold of the lead with some good ball handling, ending the first half at 42-37.
The Venezuelans further stretched their lead after the break and at the end of the third frame; they were leading Uruguay 67-58.
Staring at a nine point hole at the start of the final quarter, Uruguay failed to mount a fight back and went back by as many as 78-62 midway. After that, it was just a formality of the Venezuelans, who eased to a 12 point win.
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