PUR - Puerto Rico prove too strong for Panama

SAN JUAN (FIBA World Championship) - Puerto Rico enjoyed a comfortable 104-83 win over Panama in the first contest of a two-game warm-up series ahead of the upcoming FIBA World Championship.

Point-guard Carlos Arroyo and shooting-guard Larry Ayuso, along with centres Peter John Ramos and Daniel Santiago, produced solid performances as Puerto
Rico's agile defense and accurate three-point shooting proved the difference between the sides.

Puerto Rico took a 12-point lead at the end of the first quarter, as Ayuso contributed a hat-trick of three-pointers to the 26-14 scoreline.

An 11-0 streak in the last three minutes of the second period handed Puerto Rico a 15-point advantage at half-time.

Big baskets from Daniel Santiago and the three-point shooting of Ayuso and Carmelo Antrone Lee handed Puerto Rico a 83-58 third quarter lead before coach Julio Toro fielded a weakened reserve side in the final period.

Ayuso fired home five out of nine three-point attempts to top score for Toro's side while Daniel Santiago also contributed 16 points.

Jaime Lloreda poured in 16 points for Panama, while Ruben Douglas and Michael Hicks contributed 13 points each.

Puerto Rico began each half with a starting side of Arroyo, Ayuso, Rick Apodaca, Santiago and Ramos as coach Toro hinted at his strongest team for the upcoming FIBA World Championship.

"This is a line-up we can use against several teams and if our big men play as they did on Wednesday, we have a lot of possibilities to win," said Arroyo, who finished the game with eight points, five rebounds and 13 assists.

Coach Toro added: "We had a very intelligent game. I liked that we had a terrific level of assists and put on court all the energy we have."

Puerto Rico face Panama in the second game of the series on Tuesday night, with Toro expected to reveal the 12-man FIBA World Championship squad after the game.

PA Sport