PUR/PAN - Puerto Rico keeps rolling at home

SAN JUAN (2009 FIBA Americas Championship) - Puerto Rico is still undefeated in the FIBA Americas Championship after dominating Panama 79-51 to close the first day of the Quarterfinals.

Panama had a quick 7-2 run to start the first quarter led by Pinnock and Warren but Puerto Rico slowly came back to tie it at 11 after a three pointer by Carlos Arroyo with 51 seconds left. Jaime Lloreda made a two pointer with 31 seconds to leave the score 13-11 in favor of Panama. Pinnock led with 5 points and Warren 4 for Panama. Carlos Arroyo led Puerto Rico with 7 points.

The Puerto Ricans started the second quarter with a 7-0 run and took a 21-17 lead after a three pointer by Filiberto Rivera. The reserves led Puerto Rico in the second quarter and the first 20 minutes ended 34-25.
Arroyo had 7 points, Peter John Ramos 6 and Christian Dalmau 5 for the hosts. Danilo Pinnock had 15 points and ended the first half with a three pointer.

In the third quarter Larry Ayuso came out making shots from three point range and his teammates followed to pull away and finish the first 30 minutes up 54-34. Arroyo had 11 points, Ramos along with Sanchez 10 each and Ayuso 9. Pinnock had 5 points in the quarter for a total of 20.

Panama only had Pinnock as their consistent scorer and they suffered on both sides of the court. Pinnock finished with 23 points and was followed by Jaime Lloreda with 8 points.

Puerto Rico had Peter John Ramos along with Guillermo Diaz with 12 points, Carlos Arroyo 11 and Ricky Sanchez 10. The Puerto Ricans play the Dominican Republic tomorrow and Panama faces Uruguay.

Luis Modestti
FIBA Americas

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