POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Blake Ahearn
Group A
Argentina - Puerto Rico 79-78
Very exciting game and thriller win for Argentina against Puerto Rico. Both teams have 1-1 record now in Group A. Actually, Mexico and Canada also have the same score, so today will be the crucial day for all four teams. The winners of today's games will advance to Semifinals of the Panamerican Games in Guadalajara. Matias Sandes (201-F/G-84) led Argentina to victory with 15 points and 8 rebounds. Luciano Gonzalez (196-F-90) and Luis Cequeira (180-G-85) scored 12 points each, and Nicolas Romano (197-F/C-87) added one point less, plus 7 rebounds. In the loosing squad, Jose Juan Barea (181-PG-84, college: Northeastern) shined with 24 points. Renaldo Balkman (201-F-84, college: S.Carolina) had 16 pts and 7 rebs, while Daniel Santiago (216-C-76, agency: Priority Sports, college: N.Mexico) collected 12 points and 8 boards. Quarters: 24-22, 25-19, 13-22, 17-15. Argentina will meet Mexico today. Puerto Rico will play against Canada.
Canada - Mexico 65-79
Mexico registered first victory in Guadalajara. The host of Panamerican Games 2011 outplayed Canada 65-79 and both teams have 1-1 record in Group A now. Argentina and Puerto Rico have the same numbers and today's games will be do-or-die for all teams. Real Mata (205-C-86) exploded for the hosts with 14 points and 15 rebounds (valuation 30). Victor Mariscal (198-F-72) was the top-scored in victory with 16 points and Orlando Mendez-Valdez (185-G-86, college: W.Kentucky) helped with 14 pts, plus 5 boards. In defeat, Warren Ward (196-G-89) delivered 20 pts. Owen Klassen (208-F-91) had 17 points and 9 rebounds, and Jordan Baker (192-G-91, college: Utah Valley St.) added 10 pts in this loss. Quarters: 7-22, 14-17, 19-21, 25-19. Mexico will play against Argentina today. Canada will take on Puerto Rico.
Group B
Brazil - USA 77-88
USA is the first team who secured the Semifinals in Guadalajara. They handed 77-88 loss to Brazil for perfect 2-0 record in Group B. Brazil dropped to 1-1 and still has a chance to reach the next stage. Blake Ahearn (188-G-84, college: Missouri St.) led the winners with 21 points. Justin Dentmon (183-G-85, college: Washington) had 16 points and 6 assists, while Jerome Dyson (191-G-87, college: Connecticut) and Donald Sloan (191-G-88, college: Texas A&M) helped with 10 points each. In Brazil, Welington Dos Santos (185-PG-81) collected 16 points and 7 assists. Vitor Alves (190-F/G-90) and Murilo Becker (210-C/F-83) (7 rebs) delivered 15 and 12 points respectively. Quarters: 18-19, 20-13, 23-24, 16-32. Today, USA will play against Uruguay. Brazil will meet Dominican Republic in do-or-die game. The winner will advance to Semifinals.
Uruguay - Dominican Republic 55-69
Dominican Republic celebrated first win at Panamerican Games 2011 in Guadalajara. Dominicans were better than Uruguay 55-69 for 1-1 record in Group B and they kept Semifinals hope alive. Uruguay dropped to 0-2 and lost all chances to reach the next stage. Juan Coronado (196-G-83) paced Dominicans to victory scoring 17 points. Jack Michael Martinez (203-F/C-81, agency: Paris Global Sports) had 12 points and impressive 21 points, while Elys Manuel Guzman (206-F/C-82, college: Bemidji St.) also had double-double, including 12 pts and 10 rebs. Uruguay got 16 points and 8 rebounds from Martin Osimani (194-G-81, college: Duquesne). Nicolas Borsellino (202-F-86) scored 12 and Bruno Fitipaldo (183-PG-91) stopped to 9 pts. Quarters: 15-17, 19-19, 12-13, 9-20. Dominicans will meet Brazil today and the winner will advance to Semifinals. Dominicans will play against strong USA.
