Uruguay, with a three-pointer by Calfani, surpass Puerto Rico

MONTEVIDEO (FIBA Basketball World Americas Qualifiers 2019) — It wasn’t the most elegant game, but in the end, Uruguay victoriously inaugurated their new house of basketball.

In an emotion-filled encounter, Mathias Calfani achieved a decisive three-pointer with 4.9 seconds left to play for a definitive moment for Uruguay’s important triumph on Thursday, 64-62, against Puerto Rico in the sports debut of the Antel Arena facilities in the beginning of the fifth window of the Americas Qualifiers in the Road to China 2019.

Except for the individual attacks by David Huertas (Puerto Rico) and Esteban Batista (Uruguay), both squads were ineffective in the offense. However, this did not impede the game from having a dramatic conclusion.

Puerto Rico had the chance of tying the encounter with less than five seconds left on the clock. Huertas received a personal foul in a three-point throw by Bruno Fitipaldo, but the Puerto Rican managed two of the three throws, which left Uruguay with a minimum advantage of 63-62.

On the other side, Luciano Parodi achieved one of the two free throws, and Gian Clavell tried another half-court shot that was blocked by Parodi, which provoked the fans that filled the modern stadium to explode in cheer.

With the victory, Uruguay (6-3) are now alone in the third place of Group E, the last spot that gives a direct ticket to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019, with three games left to play. Meanwhile, Puerto Rico (5-4) suffered their second consecutive loss in the qualifiers and were lowered to the fourth place of their group. Now they're forced to win against Panama on Sunday to keep their options open to go to China next year.

Batista led Uruguay with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Calfani added 11. Gustavo Barrera contributed five points, seven assists and five rebounds for the Uruguayans, who won their first game against Puerto Rico since 2007.

As for the Caribbean squad, Huertas was phenomenal, with 36 points and five three-pointers, followed by Clavell with 11 units. Meanwhile, point guard Gary Browne recovered eight rebounds for a Puerto Rican side that could only execute seven assists, their lowest number during the Qualifiers.

Now Uruguay will try to give an important step next Sunday when they welcome the United States. A triumph will bring the South American team even closer to their first World Cup since 1986.

At a general level, Uruguay shot a poor 35% from the field, 25% in threes and 59% in free throws, which allowed Puerto Rico to stay in the game even though they also weren't effective: 30.5% in field goals and 29% in three-pointers.

After 30 minutes of a stumbling offense, Uruguay sustained the leadership, 49-42.

With a progress that was coming on since the end of the third quarter, the Celestes menaced with taking a leap, 51-42, but a gigantic Huertas didn't allow it. The shooting guard, the only consistent offensive player for the Boricuas, achieved two consecutive three-point shots to close in on the locals, which caused Rubén Magnano, the Uruguayans’ coach, to call for a time off.

However, Huertas continued with his rhythm and with a four-point play he gave Puerto Rico the leadership, 54-51, with 5:55 of action. The Puerto Ricans, inspired by Huertas’ game, rose their level on the defense, with constant pressure against Batista on the inside.

Clavell and Calfani exchanged long-distance throws to leave the game 57-56 with 2:43 left on the clock.

With a tied score, 57-57, Calfani received a personal foul by Alex Franklin and scored one of two free throws. Uruguay were very imprecise on the free throws — Parodi missing two consecutive attempts in the following possession.

Moments later, Uruguay’s Calfani scored two free throws after receiving a foul from Huertas, thus placing the game 60-57, with 42 seconds left.

Puerto Rico didn't panic and with three points by Gian Clavell they tied the match, 60-60, with 29.4 seconds, a feat that prepared the outcome.

This was the first of two games that Uruguay and Puerto Rico will play in the second round of the Qualifiers. Both squads will meet once again on February 25; this time on the Caribbean island, in a duel that could very well define the World Cup ticket.

After a slow offensive start by both teams, Uruguay wanted to mark a significant difference, 11-4, after a 3-pointer by Parodi.

Puerto Rico responded with Huertas who, with five points, shortened distances, 13-11, with 2:39 of action.

The locals took the first quarter, 15-11, in a segment in which both teams lacked aim.

The second quarter started very similar to the first one — both teams were erratic on the attack until a two-pointer by Kiril Wachsmann set his team further apart, 19-12. The visiting team resisted and with a layup with Clavell they stayed in the game, 22-18.

Parodi achieved his second of the three attempts in the first half to distance the Celestes, 28-20, with 3:17 left to play. However, Uruguay were not able to use to their advantage the poor aim by the Boricuas; who saw in Huertas their savior when he scored the last five points of the half to leave Puerto Rico still in the run, 32-31, in the half-time. Huertas concluded the first half with 16 points.

The Puerto Ricans barely shot 30.8% in field gaols and 1/9 from the three-point area. Uruguay were not very effective either, but they could count on Batista’s inside game, with 12 points and four rebounds.

Huertas gave the islanders the leadership, 33-32, but the South Americans recharged their batteries and with a three-pointer by Bruno Fitipaldo they recovered control of the game, 40-32, with 5:52 left to play.

But Puerto Rico didn’t give up. In the counterattack, Eduardo González caught Javier Mojica off-guard and equaled the scoreboard with three-points, 42-42.

Uruguay lived their best moment of the game when, with five consecutive points, they reclaimed control of the match, 47-42, which caused the Puerto Rican technical team to call for an emergency time-out.

Eventually, the Uruguayans closed the quarter in the advantage, 49-42, and full of energy for the last 10 defining minutes.

FIBA