Puerto Rico 92, Venezuela 63

August 29, 2007 � Las Vegas, Nevada

Puerto Rico led 20-16 after one quarter and stretched its� lead to 47-35 by halftime behind Elias Ayuso�s 16 first half points. Ayuso shot 5-of-10, including 4-of-6 from three point range during the game�s first 20 minutes, fueling his team�s hot start.

After posting a 1-3 mark in Preliminary Round play, Puerto Rico has now won two of three games in the Second Round and looks much more like the team basketball enthusiasts expected to see at this tournament.

The Venezuelans shot just 33 percent from the field and mustered only seven assists in the loss. Hector Romero led Venezuela with 11 points, but connected on only 3-of-13 field goals.

Ayuso finished with a game-high 25 points.

MANOLO CINTRON, HEAD COACH PUERTO RICO
[Question inaudible]
First of all it was everyone on the team. We knew that the second round would be a great opportunity for us. The coaching staff has been very positive that we could do it in the second round. We understand that the talent is very equal; our team is going on all cylinders right now. Even though we have not really trained for this as a team as a whole, or trained for a long time, we have 12 people here that come from professional leagues and they are the main players on their teams. We are able to click right now and we are playing with our starters and our roll players and we are giving a good presentation of Puerto Rico.

Can you talk about today's game and preparing for tomorrow's game?
Today was a perfect game offensively and defensively. We moved the ball well, we were able to get the ball to the shooters and if do that we will be able to beat any team in the tournament. Tomorrow's game is a very classic game between Canada and Puerto Rico. Canada a team that plays inside out, they are strong, they're good offensive players. Their big guys are very good offensive players and they run their offense through them. We have a chance to beat them; we have beaten them before and can do it again.

CARMELO LEE, PUERTO RICO
What is your mind set going into the next game?
Like every other game, we have to play hard every night.

[Question inaudible]
We weren't communicating much in the first round, now we are communicating better, and the fact that everybody knows where everybody's at.

NESTOR SALAZAR, VENEZUELA HEAD COACH
What are your thoughts about this game?
One word� intensity. Puerto Rico came out with much more intensity than Venezuela. Our strategy today was to pressure their forwards a lot since Puerto Rico's game plan is mostly based on their forwards. Practically, we just were not able to reach that goal. They got a big lead once they scored ten points. After that, a team's worst weakness came over us�desperation. Offensively we were given about forty percent out of one hundred percent of intensity. We just could not make the baskets, and the desperation took over us; as a consequence, our game concentration disappeared.

How come Hector Romero was mostly playing outside today?
I think because he was tired. Puerto Rico's inside defense is very strong and physical. They made him change his shooting style and that was not a good thing. He had approximately fourteen shots that were mostly misses. I think that is why he started to play more outside.

This loss takes always the possibility for Venezuela to go to the Olympic Games. What are you new goals with this team?
We want to continue to work with these players; especially because in a few years we will have the South American Games, which I believe will take place in Chile. It is a bit of a challenge because we can not work consistently on our concentration and training. We usually only have about two to three months with this group to work on their concentration and training. They all play in different leagues. In Venezuela, for example, we have two leagues that they play for. Hector is one of our players who are playing internationally, and we have two others who play for American schools. So to get everyone together is a challenge.

JOSE VARGAS, VENEZUELA
Can you comment on your performance?
I missed a lot of my shots today. I think I focused too much on defense, which is not my style. I think when you change your playing style during a game is dangerous, and that is what happened.

Can you comment on Elias Ayuso's performance?
Ayuso is a great player. I gave my best effort in marking him, but he could always find opportunities to break away. It was extremely hard marking him today, but I sure tried my best.