Mexico and Puerto Rico will square off in Wedneday's Final (Thursday Morning, PHL) of the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship after winning their Semi-Finals against the Dominican Republic and Argentina respectively on Tuesday.
Mexico beat Argentina 76-70 and Puerto Rico got vengeance against their Caribbean rivals from the Dominican Republic in a 79-67 win.
The Mexicans used a well organised offense and tough defense and looked fresher than their Argentinian counterparts. They also used a deeper rotation and their star player Gustavo Ayon outplayed an exhausted Luis Scola who had to carry the burden of his team in nine games played in 12 days.
Ayon finished with 24 points 12 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals and five other players finished with eight points or more.
Scola, for his part, had 18 points and 8 rebounds while Facundo Campazzo added 14.
MEXICO vs ARGENTINA SEMIFINALS GAME HIGHLIGHTS
Argentina will play the Dominican Republic in Third-Place Game.
In the Caribbean showdown, Puerto Rico showed why, having secured their place in the Semi-Finals and qualified for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, they rested their starters in their last Second Round game against Mexico - in order to be fresh and make a push to win the tournament.
Puerto Rico were in control from start to finish in the second Semi-Final.
Containing Jack Michael Martinez and James Feldeine - who had led the Dominicans to a99-84 win over the Puerto Ricans in the Second Round - was Puerto Rico's strategy on defense and it worked to great effect as the pair combined to score only 13 points.
On offense, Carlos Arroyo led Puerto Rico with 20 points, Jose Juan Barea added 16 points Renaldo Balkman had a double-double of 13 points and 14 rebounds.
Eulis Baez was the only player to score in double figures for the Dominican Republic, finishing with 12 points.
PUERTO RICO vs DOMINICAN REPUBLIC SEMIFINALS MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
SEPTEMBER 12, 2013 SCHEDULE (manila time)
BATTLE FOR 3RD: Argentina vs Dominican Republic. 5:30 AM
FINALS: Mexico vs Puerto Rico. 8:00 AM
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