Home FIBA London 2012 Greece claims first place in Group A

Greece claims first place in Group A

Greece claimed the first place in Group A after defeating Puerto Rico 98-84 at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Caracas.

Vassilis Spanoulis was the MVP with 27 points and five assists but Printezis and Bourousis had both a great game, ending with 16 points each. PJ Ramos, like in the first game, had a pretty well rounded game finishing with 15 points and 7 boards.

Both teams started this game shooting lights out with amazing percentages from the floor, especially Greece that was 6 for 6 from three point range at one point in the first quarter.

NBA player Reinaldo Balkman off the bench sparked Puerto Rico for a good second quarter, but Spanoulis with a 20 point first half was determined to keep Greece on top 49-47.

With a late run in the third quarter commanded by Printezis Greece expanded the score to the biggest lead of the game, entering the fourth quarter with an 8 point margin, 70-62.

7’3 PJ Ramos was the most relevant player on the South American side, leading the way in scoring and distributing well the game on double teams. Every time Puerto Rico made a small run, Greece answered with a three pointer by Papanikolaou or Zisis to kill the momentum.

With 4.15 left in the game, JJ Barea fouled out and it was the end for Puerto Rico. Greece took full control of the game in the last minutes, building a larger lead and finishing the game in great style to defeat Puerto Rico 98-84.

14-24 from 3 point was the key to this game for the Hellenics, 42 points from downtown in 98 possible.

In quarter-finals Greece will play against Nigeria, while Puerto Rico will collide with Lithuania. Both games are on Friday.

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