POSTED BY: Eurobasket Center
Day 1, July 28, 2004:
Argentina - Dominican Rep. 83-57
Argentina: Alloati 11, Muruaga 3, Rivero 9, Matias Carlos Sandes (201-F-84) 21, Figueroa 8, Treise 6, Ingratta 10, Zago 2, Oprandi, Mainoldi 13. Head Coach: Alejandro Lotterio
Dominican Rep: Santana Reynoso 5, Fortuna Lara, E 15, Fortuna Lara, J 4, Jaquez, Bonilla 8, Madera, Ruiz Ramos 6, Montas 2, Paulino Dilone, Pérez Richardson 5, Herrera Terreo 2, Olivero Ortiz 10.
In the first rounf of the Panamerican Under 21 championship that qualifies for next year world championship, Argentina started with an 83-57 victory over Dominican Republic, who was not supposed to play here as they were struggling financially, but the FIBA finally paid for their plane tickets to get there.
Carlos Matias Carlos Sandes (201-F-84) led all scorers with 21 points on a 9/14 shooting, Leonardo Mainoldi scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, Alloatti scored 11, Ingratta added 10 and Juan Pablo Figueroa added 8 points and 6 assists. Argentina led 21-19 after the first quarter, and with a 28-14 scored in the second period they took a 16 point lead (49-33). Dominicans won the third 15-13 and Argentina won the final period 21-9 to get the final score.
Puerto Rico - Brazil 101-96
The Puerto Rican national team defeated Brazil in overtime by the final of 101-96 thanks to a triple double by point guard Jose Juan Barea in the second game of the first day of competition in the Under 21 Tournament of the Americas from Halifax, Canada.
A very close and defensive game in the first half, both teams did a great job, especially on defense and Brazil won the first half 39-37 thanks to 15 points from Caio Silveira and 11 points from 'Paulinho' Boracini (183-G-84).
In the second half the game had a more interesting twist, especially in the final quarter of play. A steal by Puerto Rico and a basket in transition by Jose Juan Barea gave Puerto Rico a 70-69 lead with a bit less than five minutes in the game. After that 'Paulinho' Boracini (183-G-84) made a three pointer and gave Brazil a 72-70 lead. Puerto Rico tied the game at 72 and after that Luis Brignoni made three straight three pointers and gave Puerto Rico a 81-75 lead with less than two minutes left in the game.
Luis Gruber closed the game for the Brazilians with a three pointer (84-80) with 56 seconds left. After that center Peter John Ramos made one free throw to put Puerto Rico up 85-80 with 15 seconds left. Brazilian point guard Douglas Dos Reis made a three pointer with four seconds left putting the score 85-83 and they fouled Puerto Rican shooting guard Jesus Verdejo who made just one free throw. After that Gabriel Colon fouled Cristiano Baierle from three point range with no time left on the clock, the shot was from half court. Baierle made the three free throws with no time left on the clock and forced an overtime period with the game tied at 86 points each.
In the overtime period Jose Juan Barea and Jesus Verdejo combined for eight straight points to put the game 98-91 in favor of Puerto Rico with 1:47 left in the game and that was enough to put the Brazilians out of reach.
The best performers in the game for Puerto Rico were Jose Juan Barea who scored 27 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and gave 12 assists for a sensational triple double. Luis Brignoni scored 28 points, Jesus Verdejo followed with 18 and Peter John Ramos scored 11 points and grabbed 9 rebounds.
For Brazil, 'Paulinho' Boracini (183-G-84) scored 28 points, C
