Puerto Rico knock off Canada, grab first-ever podium finish

SANTA FE (FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2018) - Puerto Rico wrote the first global podium finish chapter in their history as they defeated Canada 90-77 to take third place at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2018. 

Jermaine Miranda scored 24 points and Tory San Antonio added 23 points, while Andre Curbelo chipped in 12 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals in the biggest victory in Puerto Rico's youth history.

They won the title at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2002 and then grabbed third place at the FIBA U16 Americas Championship 2017. But their first trip to the Semi-Finals ended in a medal. 

Canada missed out on adding a second third-placed finish - following their podium showing in the inaugural event in 2010 - as they could not beat the Puerto Ricans. Addison Patterson did all he could with 31 points, but it was not enough. 

Canada opened an eight-point lead in the first quarter but watched as Puerto Rico knotted the game at 20-20 after 10 minutes. 

The game went back and forth in the second frame with seven lead changes and Puerto Rico were up 40-37 at the break. Omar Gonzalez's team shrugged off foul trouble by Harry Sosa as Miranda and San Antonio helped push the lead to 56-49 after three quarters.

Puerto Rico continued to keep Canada at bay and in the end won comfortably; even having the crowd at the Club Athletic Union gym chanting "Puerto Rico".

Sunday's results
3rd Place
Puerto Rico beat Canada  90-77

Classification 5-6
Turkey beat Australia 81-77

Classification 7-8
Croatia beat Montenegro 74-66

Classification 9-10
Dominican Republic beat Serbia 82-77

Classification 11-12
Argentina beat Mali 70-69

Classification 13-14
Philippines beat New Zealand 73-51

Classification 15-16
China beat Egypt 68-63

FIBA