POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Argentina - Brazil 76-91
Brazil celebrated in the first day of Marchand Continental Championship Cup in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The defending champion did not have any troubles to beat Argentina and to jump on 1-0 record. Beside Argentina and Brazil, participants of the Marchand Cup are also Canada and the host Puerto Rico. Leandrinho Barbosa (190-G-82) top-scored in Brazil's victory with 18 points. Big guy Tiago Splitter (211-C/F-85, agency: Interperformances) also had very important role delivering 14 points. On the other side, Argentina had only one player in a game mood. That was Luis Scola (206-F/C-80), who collected 28 points and 6 rebounds.
Brazil was better team in the first half. Tiago Splitter dominated under the basket pacing his team to 39-32 lead after 20 minutes. During the second half both teams improved offensively, but once again Brazil was better. The Brazilians drained 52 points for the rest of the way, while Argentina stopped on 44. It is important to mention that Argentina played this game without its PG Pablo Prigioni (due to physical discomfort). He was replaced with 19-year old Juan Manuel Fernandez of Temple University. Brazil dominated in rebounding 47-38 and in assists 18-15.
In Day 2, Brazil will meet Puerto Rico. Argentina will take on Canada.
Argentina: Luis Scola 28+6 boards
Brazil: Leandrinho Barbosa 18, Tiago Splitter 14
Canada - Puerto Rico 55-60
The host of Marchand Continental Championship Cup 2009 had a joyful opening day outsmarting Canada 60-55. As a reminder, at the same event in 2007 Puerto Rico was winless so one thing is for sure - that will not happen this year. It was a very exciting game decided at the very end. The game hero was Larry Ayuso (190-G-77, agency: Global Sports Plaza, college: USC) (190-G-77, agency: Global Sports Plaza, college: USC), who was concentrated from the free throw line when it was the most important.
Before that, the first 20 minutes belonged to Puerto Rico 31-17. Canadians had many troubles at the offensive end in these two periods. They made only 4 of 25 from the field. At the same time Canada scored just 1 triple from 11 attempts and all other points came from the free throw line. However, they drastically improved after the breather. Carl English (192-G-81, college: Hawaii) and Jermaine Anderson (188-G-83, college: Fordham) were on fire starting to melt Puerto Rico's lead. Finally, with 3:46 to go in third quarter the score was tied to 41-41. Ten rebounds by Daniel Santiago (216-C-76, agency: Priority Sports, college: N.Mexico), who arrived just a couple of hours before, were decisive in the win against a team who had Joel Anthony (206-C-82, college: UNLV) dominating the paint with 14 rebounds. As it is mentioned above, Puerto Rico was slightly better at the end grabbing 60-55 win. The hosts finished the game with 30%, while Canada had only 27% from the field. Larry Ayuso led Puerto Rico with 13 points.
In Day 2 in San Jose, Puerto Rico will meet Brazil. Canada will take on Argentina.
