Hot shooting Puerto Rico passed to the semifinals

(BEIJING, July 18) -- Puerto Rico defeats Slovenia to advance to the semifinals in the 2008 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men in Athens on July 18.

Puerto Rico ranks 12th in the world, seven places ahead Slovenia. In the first quarter they showed their superiority by scoring 21 points while holding their opponents to just 15 points.

However, their lack of interior presence caused them problems in the second quarter. Slovenian power forward Uros Slokar and center Radoslav Nesterovic dominated the paint, scoring nine and eight respectively in the first half. After two free throws made by another center Miha Zupan, the Slovenians tied the game 34-34 at half time.

In the third quarter the Puerto Rico continued their hot streak along the perimeter, racking up five three pointers in a row within five minutes. But they still had poor defense inside the paint, allowing the Slovenians to eat out their advantages bit by bit.

Thanks to seven three pointers in the third, Team Puerto Rico led the game 59-52. Then, in the last quarter the Slovenians started with a 9-2 run, all scoring inside the paint. Team Puerto Rico switched their focus from the perimeter to attacking the paint. Slovenia's shooters were ice-cold behind the arc the whole night, so they were unable to make a strong comeback. Puerto Rico scored most of their points from the free throw line late in that quarter, and finished the match 81-70.

Uros Slokar was the best player for Slovenia scoring 16 points. Radoslav Nesterovic only made one shot in the second half, but completed the only double-double on that night with 10 points and 11 rebounds. They only shot 29% behind the arc which diluted the impact of their 14 offensive rebounds and 53% shooting inside. Carlos Arroyo scored 17 points with only 10 attempts. The Puerto Rican team shot 56% from the 3-point line which is the decisive for their winning.

In the semifinal on Saturday Puerto Rico will face either hosts Greece or world 13th ranked New Zealand.