Argentina and Puerto Rico will play for the gold medal at the Pan American Games

LIMA (Peru) - Argentina and Puerto Rico will face-off for the gold medal at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, after beating the United States and the Dominican Republic, respectively, in the Semifinals that took place this Saturday, at the Eduardo Dibós Coliseum.

The Argentine team put on a dominating performance, defeating the USA team to beat by a score of 114-75.

The South Americans were perfect in a first half they led 61-36, with great effectiveness in offense and a very physical defense, closing off all options for the North American squad.

USA could never into the game and sometimes looked frustrated at an opponent who always maintained their intensity. Argentina shot 58% (74-43) from the field. In contrast, the Americans shot 37 percent (70-26), including 3-24 from three, with 16 turnovers (12 in the first 20 minutes).

Gabriel Deck scored 23 points for the albicelestes and Nicolás Laprovittola and Luis Scola, followed him with 18 each. For USA, David Duke Jr. finished with 16.

For its part, Puerto Rico once again showed a high level and remained undefeated in the tournament (4-0) by beating the Dominican Republic, 65-63.

The Puerto Rican team took the reins thanks to its defensive effort in the second quarter and the great shooting from Isaac Sosa, which allowed the team to lead 34-26 at the half. Dominican Republic reacted in the last period and took back the the lead 50-49 with a free-throw by Luis Montero with 6:35 minutes to go.

The Puerto Ricans, despite being a young team with eight debutants in their squad, showed greater composure. A triple by forward Benito Santiago Jr. was crucial in giving them a 63-58 advantage with only 49 seconds left. The Quequeyanos remained in play with an easy bucket from Eloy Vargas, but in the clutch, point guard Adris De León, missed two free-throws with 5.5 seconds and Puerto Rico won it. 

Sosa, with 13 points and three triples, commanded the attack from Puerto Rico. Devon Collier added another 12 points and Santiago Jr. 11. For Dominicana, Vargas and Juan Suero, scored 15 points each.

This Sunday, the clash for the gold medal between Argentina and Puerto Rico will be played at 9:00 p.m. local time. The United States and the Dominican Republic will play for the bronze at 6:00 pm.

In the reclassification matches, which also took place on Saturday, Venezuela took the fifth place by dominating Uruguay 78-68. Jhornan Zamora and Néstor Colmenares scored 15 and 14 points, respectively for the vinotinto, while Martín Rojas scored 17 for the Charrúas.

The seventh place went to Mexico, after beating Virgin Islands 92-81. The Aztecs showed a balanced offensive effort in which up to five men scored in double figures. Jorge Camacho was the leader with 18 points, followed by Jaime Jaquez Jr., who added 17. For the Caribbean team, Walter Hodge stood out with 25 points and five triples.

FIBA