PUR/TRI/DOM – Puerto Rico fall in OT shocker to Trinidad and Tobago

SANTO DOMINGO (2010 FIBA World Championship) – Puerto Rico are going to take on the world later this summer in Turkey.

They’ve got a lot of work to do before then, however, if their opening game at the Centrobasket Championship in the Dominican Republic is anything to go by.

Manolo Cintron’s team blew a 20-point lead in the third quarter and suffered a 97-91 overtime defeat to minnows Trinidad and Tobago.

It’s the first time Trinidad and Tobago, who lost 80-71 to Belize in their first game on Monday, have beaten the Puerto Ricans.

The game was marked by several interruptions caused by water coming from the ceiling, and blackouts.

Wilfred Benjamin had 11 points and 11 boards for Trinidad and Tobago.

Steven Lewis poured in a team-high 24 points with Kibwe Trim contributing 18 and Ian Young adding 13.

Young’s most important points came at the end of regulation when he buried a shot from behind the arc to force the extra period.

Carlos Arroyo led Puerto Rico with 24 points and nine assists while center Peter John Ramos along and Puerto Rico newcomer, forward Renaldo Balkman of the Denver Nuggets, scored 17 apiece.

Puerto Rico face Mexico on Wednesday.

In August and September, Puerto Rico will play at the FIBA World Championship.

They are in Group C with China, Ivory Coast, Greece, Russia and hosts Turkey.

The top four sides at the Centrobasket will qualify for the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship in Argentina.

Also on Tuesday, Mexico bounced back from their 82-62 drubbing by Cuba on Day 1 with an 85-63 rout of Belize.

The Dominican Republic won for the second day in a row, following up a 63-56 victory over Panama with a 68-62 triumph over Jamaica.

Charlie Villanueva led the Dominicans with 13 points.

Danilo Pinnock had 16 points as Panama beat the British Virgin Islands 75-61.

FIBA