PUR/BRA - Perfect game by Vassallo gives Puerto Rico a win
SANJUAN (FIBA Americas championship) - A perfect game by Angel Daniel Vassallo along with great performances by Larry Ayuso and Carlos Arroyo gave Puerto Rico the win over Brazil by the score of 86-82 to end the Quarterfinals in the FIBA Americas Championship. Brazil finished first in the Quarterfinals due to goal average against Argentina and Puerto Rico. The Puerto Ricans needed a win by six points to finish first in the group. In the semifinals Brazil plays Canada at 6:30 and Puerto Rico faces Argentina at 9:00 on Saturday.e
SAN JUAN (FIBA Americas championship) - A perfect game by Angel Daniel Vassallo along with great performances by Larry Ayuso and Carlos Arroyo gave Puerto Rico the win over Brazil by the score of 86-82 to end the Quarterfinals in the FIBA Americas Championship.
Brazil finished first in the Quarterfinals due to goal average against Argentina and Puerto Rico. The Puerto Ricans needed a win by six points to finish first in the group. In the semifinals Brazil plays Canada at 6:30 and Puerto Rico faces Argentina at 9:00 on Saturday.
Vassallo finished with 20 points as he shot 8-8 from the field (5-5 2pt, 3-3 3pt, 1-1 ft) in 19 minutes played. Larry Ayuso scored 25 points by shooting 11-11 from the free throw line and Carlos Arroyo finished with 16 points and 6 assists.
In the first quarter Marcelinho Machado and Anderson Varejao combined for 14 points to lead Brazil to a 20-13 first quarter lead. Machado scored three pointers with 2:20 (15-10) and with 17.8 seconds left (20-13) for the Brazilians.
The figure of Angel Daniel Vassallo came to play in the second quarter, scoring 17 points by shooting 7-7 from the field as Puerto Rico finished up 38-34. Ayuso followed Vassallo with 8 points.
Larry Ayuso and Carlos Arroyo were brilliant in the third quarter as Puerto Rico finished up 67-51. Arroyo had 14 points, Ayuso 13 and Vassallo had 20.
In the final quarter coach Moncho Monsalve was thrown off the game after his second technical foul and also Tiago Splitter was called for a technical. Larry Ayuso made six free throws and Puerto Rico had a 73-54 lead with 7:26.
Brazil came back led by Alex Garcia, Anderson Varejao and Guilherme Giovannoni and spoiled the party for Puerto Rico. A three pointer by Varejao with 12.6 seconds left placed Brazil down by four (86-82).
Christian Dalmau missed a three pointer that could have given Puerto Rico first place with 3 seconds left.
Anderson Varejao led Brazil with 22 points, Tiago Splitter 19 and Marcelo Machado 15.
Luis Modestti
FIBA Americas
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