PUR/CHI - Martinez, Valentin lead Puerto Rico to fifth place:

CUIABÁ (FIBA Americas Championship for Women) – Millie Martinez made 21 points and Cynthia Valentin 15 to lead Puerto Rico over Chile 61-49 to finish fifth in the FIBA Americas Championship for Women played in Cuiabá, Brazil.

Puerto Rico finished with a 3-2 record, winning their last three games of the tournament by double digits. Cynthia Valentin was their best scorer with an average of 17.2 points per game, followed by Millie Martinez with 12.2.

Martinez led Puerto Rico in the first quarter with nine points as they dominated the first ten minutes 19-12. The Caribbean team started the game with a 8-2 run and stayed on top thanks to their efficiency from long distance.

In the second quarter Chile came back with a 12-0 run led by Tatiana Gomez who made a basket with 2:12 to give them a 30-25 lead. Puerto Rico came back and a basket by Cynthia Valentin tied the score at half 32-32. Martinez had 13 points and Valentin 6 for Puerto Rico. Tatiana Gomez led Chile with 14 points.

The Puerto Rican defense kept the Chileans down and on offense they made their game to end up 48-38. Martinez and Valentin were combined for 30 points after 30 minutes.

In the final ten minutes Lindsay Gonzalez and Esmary Vargas led the Puerto Ricans to their third straight win.

Tatiana Gomez had 20 points and 14 rebounds for Chile. Ziomara Morrison also had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Luis Modestti
FIBA Americas