2012 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament Day 2.

Dominican Republic 95 - Korea 85

Korea played with a sense of urgency right from the start, they lead by four after the first 20 minutes and even part of the third quarter, but Jack Michael Martinez had a monster game with 25 rebounds and 16 points, Al Horford dominated with 30 points (12 in the third) & 11 rebounds . Those big guys were just too much for Korea to contain. 

What this means: By losing to the Dominican Republic, Korea is now eliminated.  Dominican Republic will face off against Russia to see who will end up with the lead in their group, both teams are sure to advance to the quarterfinals regardless of the result. 


FYROM  84 - New Zealand 62

Bo McCaleb had 23 points, Pero Antic 17 & 10 and Macedonia took care of business early by defeating New Zealand by 22 points.  Macedonia lead every quarter by double figures, Alex Piedger lead New Zealand in scoring with 11 points.

What this means: After losing 88-84 to Angola on Monday, Macedonia did what they had to do, now their faith in the quarterfinals depends on Wednesday's New Zealand vs Angola game.


Puerto Rico 93 - Jordan  52 

Puerto Rico got off to a fast start, they lead 29-11 in the first quarter and Jordan never stood a chance.  Peter John Ramos dominated the inside with 20 points, 9-9 FG and 9 boards, Ricky Sanchez had 12 points, 7 rebounds & Alex Franklin had 10 points (including three spectacular dunks)  they didn't even needed big performances from Carlos Arroyo or JJ Barea.  Osama Daghles had 17 points for Jordan in the loss.

What this means:  Jordan is eliminated from the competition, Puerto Rico and Greece will advance to the quarterfinals and they will play on Wednesday to see who will take the group lead.


Lithuania 100 - Venezuela  82 

Lithuania dominated the game from start to finish,  the Lithuanians took a 49-36 lead at the break behind 19 points for Linas Kleiza, they lead by 16 at the end of three and ended up winning by 18.  Kleiza finished with 28 points, Greivis Vasquez had 28 for Venezuela.


What this means:  Lithuania can clinch an appearance in the quarterfinals by beating Nigeria on Wednesday  and also letting Venezuela advance as well, Nigeria will be eliminated by going 0-2.



Follow me on Twitter @JohnnyNBA and Like us on Facebook.

2012 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament Day 1.

Russia 91 - Korea 56

Russia knew they couldn't risk to lose this game against a weak opponent in Korea and they sure played like the superior team. Russia made 12 of their first 13 field goals and put the game away as early as the first quarter, they led the first quarter by 11 points and had a 19 point lead to enter the half.  Andrei Kirilenko had 16  points, Sergey Monya 14 and  Timofey Mozgov and Sasha Kaun each contributed with 12. 


Korea only had one player in double figures,  center Eric Andrin scored 15 points. 


What this means:  Russia has the day off tomorrow and only need a victory against the Dominican Republic on Wednesday to clinch or wait and see if Dominican Republic can beat Korea  tomorrow.  Russia will be safe with either of those two things happening.  Korea will fight for their life tomorrow, one more loss and they are eliminated, they will have a very tough task tomorrow, i don't see them beating the Dominican Republic. 

Greece 107 - Jordan  63

Greece dominated this game even better than Russia in the first game, and that's saying something.  Behind 8 first quarter points by Antonios Fotsis, Greece took a 33-12 first quarter lead.   The second and third quarter Greece finished with leads of  33 and 38 points.  Kostas Papanikolau ended up with 19 points and Georgios Printezis had 16, both players belong to the New York Knicks if they ever decide to play in America.  Enver Soobzokov had 14 for Jordan. 

What this means:  Jordan plays Puerto Rico tomorrow, Jordan will play for the right to stay alive.. If Puerto Rico beats them, it's over for them. Greece has the night off.



Angola 88 -  FYROM 84


This was the first surprised of the qualifiers, Macedonia looked really good during last year's Eurobasket, but didn't played like that today. Bo McCaleb scored 21 points and Pero Antic had 17, they tried to will Macedonia back into the game, getting as close as two points,  but that 13 point Angola lead was too much to overcome.  Eduardo Mingas and Olimpio Cipriano combined for 47 points in the win for Angola. 


What this means:   Tomorrow Macedonia will play against New Zealand, they need to win or they will watch the rest of the tourney from home.  New Zealand will get themselves a chance to go to the quarterfinals with a win tomorrow and eliminating Macedonia in the process.


Venezuela 71 - Nigeria 69

Venezuela had a 9 point lead in different occasions, but couldn't hold on to it and needed  every one of Greivis Vasquez 24 points to get a 2 point win. Nigeria missed a lot of easy shots that could have turned the result of this game in a different way.  David Cubillan and Gregory Echenique had 14 and 13 points respectively.   Nigeria counted with a double double from Ike Diogu (14-10) as well as 12 points from Ekene Ibekwe. 


What this means: Venezuela will play against Lithuania tomorrow and they will advance to the quarterfinals stage if they get the victory. Another possible way for the host to advance is to hope Lithuania beats Nigeria on Wednesday and Nigeria finishes with a 0-2 record.   Nigeria will rest tomorrow and their game against Lithuania on Wednesday is a do or die


Photo Credit: Raul Alzaga


Follow me on Twitter @JohnnyNBA and Like us on Facebook.

Puerto Rico starts the exhibition games with a victory.

Puerto Rico defeated Macedonia 96-77 in their first of two preparation games before the Fiba Qualifying Tournament in July. Jose Juan Barea had a double double (11 points, 10 assists), David Huertas and Alex Galindo scored 15 each and two recent additions, Renaldo Balkman and Nathan Peavy ( They didn't played in Centrobasket) joined the club and gave them a big spark at both ends.  The starting point guard, Carlos Arroyo, and his backup, Andres Rodriguez,weren't available. They expect to return tomorrow in the 2nd game against Macedonia.

Nathan Peavy Scored 12 points and 8 boards

Coach, Flor Melendez, was very impressed with his roster, they beat a good Macedonia team that had players like Bo McCalebb (13 pts, 5 assist) and Pero Antic ( 19 pts and 8 boards) but one player in particular that really impressed him was forward, Nathan Peavy. Melendez said Peavy is a a true power forward , a very underrated scorer, and will help them tremendously in that aspect and also in the rebound department, which they had been lacking.

Flor Melendez, coach of Puerto Rico.

Photo credit:  Jose L. Cruz Candelaria of Primera Hora

Follow me on Twitter @JohnnyNBA and Like us on Facebook.