Canada’s chances for a World Championship berth are still alive, but do not rest solely on the team’s performance tomorrow. They will need some help from Uruguay, a team that has two games remaining. If Uruguay wins both matches against Brazil today and Argentina tomorrow, then the Canadians are out of the tournament. If Uruguay loses both games, then Canada advances to both the semifinals and the World Championships. However, if they split the games, Team Canada will have to beat the Dominican Republic by five points in order to advance.
Unless I'm missing something, Canada is currently 2-4 in this round. Dominican Republic, which just defeated Mexico today, is 3-3. Uruguay, after getting hammered 82-62 by Brazil today, is also 2-4. If DR defeats Canada tomorrow, DR advances no matter what Uruguay does. If Canada defeats DR and Uruguay defeats Argentina, then 3 teams are 3-4 and the tiebreaker rules among 3 teams go into effect. Uruguay defeated Canada by 2; DR defeated Uruguay by 6, so Canada must defeat DR by 4 or more. If Canada wins by 4 tomorrow, then the point differential among the 3 teams is Canada +2, DR +2, Uruguay -4. I assume Canada would then get the spot because they defeated DR head-to-head. I trust this makes sense. But in no way does Canada automatically qualify if Uruguay loses both games - they still must defeat Dominican Republic and by at least 4 points or preferably more.
TEAM CANADA STILL ALIVE AFTER WIN OVER PANAMA AT FIBA AMERICAS
(San Juan, Puerto Rico) Canada’s quest to qualify for the 2010 FIBA World Championship continues after today’s commanding win over Panama 97-65 in the Quarterfinal round of the FIBA Americas Championship.
“I felt that we gained a lot of confidence yesterday against Brazil and we just brought that intensity that we needed to play at each end of the floor,” said Leo Rautins, Head Coach for the Senior Men’s National Team. “The nice thing about today’s game is that everybody played, everybody contributed so our legs are fresh and hopefully we are in a good position tomorrow. “
Andy Rautins (Syracuse, NY) led all players with 23 points, including 5-7 from three point range. Carl English (Patrick’s Cove, NL) followed for Canada with 16 points in 21 minutes. Team captain Jesse Young (Peterborough, Ont.) added 14 points including a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line. Olu Famutimi (Toronto, Ont.) contributed 10. Joel Anthony was the team’s top rebounder, collecting five boards in the game.
The Canadians controlled the game in all areas particularly shooting, where Canada was virtually perfect from the free throw line, making 23-24 baskets. Panama hit 15-19 from the charity stripe. But it was Canada’s three-point shooting that expanded the gap, as the red and white shot 44 per cent versus 23 per cent for Panama. Team Canada played an aggressive game on both ends of the floor, gathering 14 steals as Panama struggled with 20 turnovers.
The Panamanians jumped to an early lead but Canada made a 12-2 run in the final minutes, including 10 points by English to close the first quarter up seven (22-15).
In the second quarter Canada continued sharp from long distance led by English and Jermaine Bucknor (Edmonton, Alta.) who added eight points to give Canada a substantial 19 point lead at the half (45-24).
The Canadians continued the third period with its intense team ball strategy that worked so well in the first half as the red and white powered by Panama. Team Canada dominated in all aspects in the second half, especially in the paint where Young demonstrated why he is called “a warrior” by his coach.
Leading by as many as 33 points, Canada ran away with the win and regained some control of its destiny. With this win the team now has a record of 2-4. The last game of the Quarterfinals takes place on Friday at 6:30 p.m. ET against the Dominican Republic (3-3). Tomorrow’s game will be replayed on The Score and Raptors NBA TV 10 p.m. ET. Fans can also see the game live on the internet at www.fibatv.com.
Canada’s chances for a World Championship berth are still alive, but do not rest solely on the team’s performance tomorrow. They will need some help from Uruguay, a team that has two games remaining. If Uruguay wins both matches against Brazil today and Argentina tomorrow, then the Canadians are out of the tournament. If Uruguay loses both games, then Canada advances to both the semifinals and the World Championships. However, if they split the games, Team Canada will have to beat the Dominican Republic by five points in order to advance.
Rautins knows the pressure that rests with the upcoming Dominican game and what his team must focus on to prepare tomorrow.
"Dominican Republic is certainly one of the most talented teams in this tournament. The have size, quickness, and players that can shoot. Like every game here, it’s going to be a very difficult match, and we’ll have to be very focused and play with confidence."
For complete box scores, standings and schedule visit the official tournament website for the FIBA Americas Championship (link in right hand corner of this site).
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