Centrobasket 12 - Puerto Rico vs. Dominican Republic for the Gold Medal

 

San Juan, Puerto Rico - Four three-point shots at the end of the first half were important for Puerto Rico (5-0) to open the score in an eventual 103-89 victory against the Jamaica national team (3-2) and advance to play for the Gold medal in the 2012 edition of the Centrobasket Tournament being held in the José Miguel Agrelot coliseum in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico and Jamaica tied eight times during the first half. Akeem Scott tied the game for last time at 39 points after a jump shot with 4:01 remaining of the second period. The Puerto Ricans reacted with four three-point shots in a 12-2 rally, to go up in the score 51-41 with 1:34. Mike Rosario was responsible for two of that triple, Andrés Rodríguez and Alex Galindo scored the other two. Patrick Ewing Jr. with a three-point shot and Kimani Friend lay-up, ended the half 51-46 in favor of the home team.

Alexander Franklin scored four points on a 6-0 run to Puerto Rico, to increase the difference 61-50, with 7:08 of the third quarter. The advantage grew to 75-59 with a dunk by Danny Santiago remaining 2:02. Ricky Sanchez finished the first 30 minutes with a triple and left the score 81-65.

Peter John Ramos’s jump shot gave the biggest lead in the game 98-80 with 2:36 to play.

The Puerto Ricans had seven players in double figures. David Huertas command this offensive with 17 points, Santiago made 16 points, Rosario, Franklin and Sánchez scored 11 each one, while Ramos and José Juan Barea added 10 each one. For Jamaica, Scott led with 19 points, Weyinmi Efejuku Rose and Samardo Samuels added 17 each one, Jerome Jordan scored 16 and Dylan Howell 10.

Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico will have tomorrow a new chapter in his extensive regional sports rivalry when they meet at 8:30 p.m. (local time), for the Gold medal. Jamaica, meanwhile, will face off with Panamá at 6:00 p.m. for the bronze medal.

Jeanc Rodríguez / FIBA Américas
FOTO: FBPUR