PUR/ARG - Puerto Rico gets revenge over Argentina and goes for the Gold against Brazil
SAN JUAN (2009 FIBA Americas Championship Men) - Puerto Rico got revenge from a loss in the Quarterfinals and defeated Argentina 85-80 to play for the Gold medal tomorrow at the FIBA Americas Championship against Brazil. The Puerto Ricans jumped to an early lead but Argentina reacted with a 14-0 run to take a 18-6 lead after a three pointer by Federico Kammerichs with 2:23. The first quarter finished 20-13 as Scola led with 8 points and Kammerichs had 6. Carlos Arroyo had 7 points for Puerto Rico and Peter John Ramos 4.
SAN JUAN (2009 FIBA Americas Championship Men) - Puerto Rico got revenge from a loss in the Quarterfinals and defeated Argentina 85-80 to play for the Gold medal tomorrow at the FIBA Americas Championship against Brazil.
The Puerto Ricans jumped to an early lead but Argentina reacted with a 14-0 run to take a 18-6 lead after a three pointer by Federico Kammerichs with 2:23. The first quarter finished 20-13 as Scola led with 8 points and Kammerichs had 6. Carlos Arroyo had 7 points for Puerto Rico and Peter John Ramos 4.
Scola silenced the Puerto Ricans fans every time the team made a comeback as he finished with 20 points and led Argentina to a 41-32 halftime advantage. Angel Daniel Vassallo had 8 points for Puerto Rico.
In the third quarter Larry Ayuso came to the rescue and made a three pointer to tie it at 56 with 2:34 left. Scola and Quinteros scored 4 points and the first 30 minutes finished 60-58 in favor of the visitors.
Both teams were exchanging the lead in the final quarter but Guillermo Diaz came from the bench and scored 5 straight points to give Puerto Rico a 71-65 lead with 5:23 left. Argentina came back and tied it at 71 after a three pointer by Leo Gutierrez.
Arroyo took the ball and made a two pointer with 50.3 seconds (81-77) and then one key finger roll to have it 83-80 with 14 seconds. Paolo Quinteros was blocked in his final three point attempt and Ayuso closed the game with a layup for the win.
Carlos Arroyo led Puerto Rico with 19 points, Carmelo Lee followed with 14, Larry Ayuso 13 and Peter John Ramos along with Angel Daniel Vassallo 10 each.
Luis Scola netted 31 points in 32 minutes and Paolo Quinteros had 14. Pablo Prigioni finished with 8 points and 10 assists.
Finals schedule:
6:30 Argentina vs. Canada
9:00 Puerto Rico vs. Brazil
Luis Modestti
FIBA Americas
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