POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Carlos Arroyo
Puerto Rico - Brazil 84-81
Puerto Rico defeated Brazil in their third game at the Tuto Marchand Cup. The victory allowed the hosts to improve at 3-0 record. They will now take on Argentina for the title in the final day of the tournament. Carlos Arroyo (188-PG-79, agency: Interperformances, college: FIU) stepped up with 26 points to lead Puerto Rico to the victory. The teams stayed neck and neck throughout the opening quarter. The scoreboard read 14:14 after ten minutes. Brazil surged ahead in the second term. They eked out a 32:27 halftime lead. But Puerto Rico stepped on the gas in the second half. The hosts exploded with 31 points in the third stanza to narrow the deficit to a single point. Puerto Rico unleashed 26 points in the fourth period and sealed the winning outcome at the end. Renaldo Balkman (201-F-84, college: S.Carolina) posted 24 points and 15 boards, while Jose Juan Barea added 19 points in the win. Larry Taylor (185-PG-80, college: Missouri Western) answered with 17 points for Brazil. Alex Ribeiro and Caio Silveira netted 11 points each in the loss.
Argentina - Dominican Republic 74-67
Argentina clinched the third straight win at the Tuto Marchand Cup in Puerto Rico. They overcame Dominican Republic to stay perfect. Argentina will face Puerto Rico for the trophy later tonight. Argentina snatched a 20:19 lead after ten minutes. They boosted the gap in the second frame. Argentina piled up a 38:29 halftime advantage. Dominican Republic narrowed the deficit in the third term. They got within 7 points at the final intermission. Argentina unloaded 21 points in the fourth frame and marched to the victory at the end. Luis Scola (206-F/C-80) and Juan Gutierrez (205-F/C-83) finished with 12 points each to pace Argentina. Leonardo Mainoldi and Selem Safar had 9 points each in the win. Elpidio Fortuna (188-G-85) and Karl-Anthony Towns (208-C-95) answered with 11 points each for Dominican Republic.
