By virtue of their victory over Puerto Rico yesterday, Uruguay joins Argentina from Group A in the second round of the FIBA Americas Olympic qualifier in Las Vegas. Although the game dates/times will not be established until later today, Canada now knows at least 2 of their opponents in the next round. Canada is familiar with undefeated Argentina (3-0), having defeated them 84-78 last week in Puerto Rico at the Tuto Marchand Cup. The 2 keys to Argentina are 6'10" Luis Scola (Houston Rockets) and 6'6" Carlos Defino (Toronto Raptors). Uruguay (2-1) has 6'10" Esteban Batista (Atlanta Hawks), the first player ever from Uruguay to make the NBA. Batista had 34 points and 15 rebounds yesterday against Puerto Rico (1-3) as Uruguay clinched a spot in the second round. Tonight's final games of the preliminary round will determine the final 2 teams from Group A to advance. Puerto Rico will need help as only winning a tie-breaker can help them advance. Mexico (1-2) meets Uruguay (2-1) at 6:30 PM ET while Panama (1-2) takes on Argentina (3-0) at midnight. All games mean something as teams will take their games against other advancing teams to the next round with them. For example, Canada will start the standings in the next round with a 1-2 record. Nothing is official, but realistically Canada will have to win 3 of their 4 games in the next round; in other words, they will have to beat Uruguay and two of Mexico, Puerto Rico and/or Panama. Another victory over Argentina would of course also help the cause tremendously.
Sunday, 26 August 2007
Canada's 2nd round opponent list taking shape
By virtue of their victory over Puerto Rico yesterday, Uruguay joins Argentina from Group A in the second round of the FIBA Americas Olympic qualifier in Las Vegas. Although the game dates/times will not be established until later today, Canada now knows at least 2 of their opponents in the next round. Canada is familiar with undefeated Argentina (3-0), having defeated them 84-78 last week in Puerto Rico at the Tuto Marchand Cup. The 2 keys to Argentina are 6'10" Luis Scola (Houston Rockets) and 6'6" Carlos Defino (Toronto Raptors). Uruguay (2-1) has 6'10" Esteban Batista (Atlanta Hawks), the first player ever from Uruguay to make the NBA. Batista had 34 points and 15 rebounds yesterday against Puerto Rico (1-3) as Uruguay clinched a spot in the second round. Tonight's final games of the preliminary round will determine the final 2 teams from Group A to advance. Puerto Rico will need help as only winning a tie-breaker can help them advance. Mexico (1-2) meets Uruguay (2-1) at 6:30 PM ET while Panama (1-2) takes on Argentina (3-0) at midnight. All games mean something as teams will take their games against other advancing teams to the next round with them. For example, Canada will start the standings in the next round with a 1-2 record. Nothing is official, but realistically Canada will have to win 3 of their 4 games in the next round; in other words, they will have to beat Uruguay and two of Mexico, Puerto Rico and/or Panama. Another victory over Argentina would of course also help the cause tremendously.
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