T&T upsets Puerto Rico in Centrobasket

[royal]

T&T upsets Puerto Rico in Centrobasket

Kevin Sunich

T&T Men’s Basketballers created the biggest upset of the 2010 Centrobasket Championships being staged in the Dominican Republic. The twin island men outplayed a star-studded Puerto Rico team with three NBA players including Carlos Arroyo and Jose Barea, 97-91 overtime win at Palacio de los Deportes Virgilio Travieso Soto, Santo Domingo, yesterday. Led by Steven “Lighter” Lewis 24, Kibwe Trim 18 and Ian Young 13, T&T came back from a 20-point deficit 63-43, with five minutes left in the third quarter. Puerto Rico, which held a 25-21 lead at the end of the first period, went on a 16-2 run in the last four minutes of the second quarter to hold a 50-36 advantage at the half.

T&T, however, came out in the third quarter a determined bunch and it paid off as they outscored their opponents 27-23. They continued to chip away at the lead in the fourth and came within one 80-79 on a Young three-pointer, however a three from Arroyo sent the lead to five 84-79, with 1.01 remaining. Julius Ashby then cut the lead to two with 24 seconds left, before Wilfred Benjamin grabbed a rebound from an Arroyo’s shot from beyond the arc with six seconds on the clock. After time-out the inbound and Young came up with one of the biggest shots of the game, hitting one from down town to level the score 84-84. In overtime T&T was able to pull away eventually for the win.



Trinidad and Tobago shock PR National Squad in opener

by Luis Ramirez

With a come from behind win in overtime, the national squad from Trinidad and Tobago beat the Puerto Rico National team 97-91.

Puerto Rico opened the Centrobasket tournament facing Trinidad and Tobago. Puerto Rico opened with Carlos Arroyo, Jose Juan Barea, Jose Huertas, Peter John Ramos and Ricky Sanchez. Both teams opened up with an even pace as the score was tied at 4 with 7:56 to go in the 1st quarter. With 5:01 the score was 11-11. Puerto Rico inserted a variety of players looking for a better offensive effort, this resulted in Puerto Rico going on a 9-2 run, putting the score 20-13 with 3 minutes left in the quarter. The game was delayed during this period while some measures were taken to stop some leakage which was coming into the court. The game was resumed and Trinidad and Tobago seemed recharged as they answered with 4 points in a row to put the score at 20-17 with 2:20 left. The quarter ended with Puerto Rico in the lead, 25-21.
In the 2nd quarter, Trinidad and Tobago tied the game at 34 points with 4:56 left in the half. Then it was Puerto Rico on a 16-2 run to put the score 50-36. Trinidad and Tobago was left scoreless for almost 5 minutes during this period as they scored their only 2 points on foul shots with no time left on the clock to finish the half.
In the 3rd quarter, employed a fast break during the opening minutes of this quarter to extend their lead to 60-42 with 6:12 on the clock. Trinidad and Tobago showed that it would not give up and showed some life as they cut the lead to 11 points, 63-52 with 2:40 left. Trinidad and Tobago finally cut the lead to just 10 points 73-63 with a last second shot from half court length to end the quarter.
In the 4th quarter, Trinidad and Tobago opened up with consecutive baskets to cut the lead to just 6 points 73-67 with 9:35 left in the game. Puerto Rico looked a little frazzled during this quarter and a no look pass from Carlos Arroyo to Peter John Ramos took him by surprise for a turnover, head coach Manolo Cintron immediately took a time out. A unsportsmanship foal was called on Carlos Arroyo which further complicated the Puerto Rico squad. The lead was just 4 points for Puerto Rico 78-74 with 4:21 to go. Another field goal by Trinidad and Tobago put the lead to just 2 points, 78-76 with 3:27 to go. A 3 pointer from Carlos Arroyo gave Puerto Rico some breathing room as he put the score 84-79 with 1:01 to go in the game. Trinidad and Tobago tied the score with a 3 pointer with just a couple of seconds to go. Jose Juan Barea got the pass but slipped and could not make the shot to take the game into overtime.
In the overtime period, both teams traded lead in the first couple of minutes and with 2:48 in this additional period it was Puerto Rico leading by 2, 90-88 with 2:46 left. Trinidad and Tobago took the lead 91-90 on a basket with 1:40 left. They continued to accumulate points at the foul line to keep them on top by 6 points 97-91 with 19 second to play. Puerto Rico would not overcome the deficit and Trinidad and Tobago would get the win.

For Trinidad and Tobago, Steven Arthur Lewis had 24 points and 6 rebounds, followed by Kimbe Trim with 18 points and 9 rebounds.

For Puerto Rico, Carlos Arroyo had 24 points while Peter John Ramos and Reinaldo Balkman both scored 17 points, both grabbed 9 rebounds.
 

SANTO DOMINGO (2010 Centrobasket Championship) - Trinidad & Tobago got their biggest win in their history by defeating Puerto Rico 97-91 in overtime on day 2 of the 2010 Centrobasket Championship.

This is the first win for Trinidad & Tobago over Puerto Rico in their history. The last time both teams met was in the 2007 CBC Championship where the Puerto Ricans won 93-67.

The key for the win by Trinidad & Tobago was their dominance on the boards, grabbing 46 rebounds against 32 from the Puerto Ricans. They also took advantage of the second chance points and points off turnovers, especially in the second half.

In the first quarter Puerto Rico was led by Peter John Ramos and Carlos Arroyo, who showed great chemistry together on the offensive side. Ramos had 10 points and Arroyo 8 for Puerto Rico who won 25-22. Kibwe Trim netted 6 for Trinidad & Tobago.

After a 34-34 tie, Puerto Rico made a 16-2 run in the final five minutes to finish up 50-36. In that rally Puerto Rico was led by Jose Juan Barea, Carlos Arroyo and Renaldo Balkman. At halftime Balkman led Puerto Rico with 13 points.

In the third quarter Puerto Rico had a 63-43 early on but Trinidad & Tobago started to pressure the ball and take advantage of the second chance buckets and fastbreak opportunities to cut the lead 73-63. Trim and Steven Lewis led the way with 30 points between them at that point.

Then in the final quarter everything started to fall down for Puerto Rico, especially on the boards and on the defensive end as Trinidad kept themselves close by. Carlos Arroyo made a key three pointer with 1:02 left but after that Julius Ashby made a two pointer and after a miss by Arroyo, Ian Young made a three pointer with 3 seconds left to force the game into overtime tied at 84.

In the overtime period the hard work and patience paid off for Trinidad & Tobago as they secured the game with a basket by Joel Haywood and two free throws by Ian Young with 24.1 seconds left.

Steven Lewis led TT with 24 points while Kibwe Trim netted 18 and Ian Young 13.

Puerto Rico had Carlos Arroyo with 24 points and 9 assists while Peter John Ramos along with Renaldo Balkman scored 17 each.

FIBA-Americas

[Deeks]

Surprise!!!!!!???

[royal]

Surprise!!!!!!???

Puerto Rico is ranked 10th in the world!

[Dutty]

damn!!

we reach?

[Controversial]

finally 

[Sam]

Soca b-ballers beat P/Ricans
T&T Newsday.

AN AMAZING last quarter performance guided Trinidad and Tobago to a historic 97-91 overtime victory against perennial regional power house Puerto Rico on Tuesday night in the Centro Basket Championships.

With the victory, TT sparked jubilation at the Palacio de los Deportes in Santo Domingo. No English speaking Caribbean country has ever defeated Puerto Rico in the history of regional basketball.

This was not only an historic win but also sweet revenge for TT who suffered a 93-67 loss against Puerto Rico at the 2007 CBC Championships.

Playing in a must-win situation following a disappointed opening loss against Belize, TT found themselves in a good situation in the opening period.

Despite the efficient Puerto Rico’s offence led by Peter Ramos with 10 points and Carlos Arroyo (, TT missed the opportunity to snatch the lead missing five successive free shots in the closing seconds of the first quarter. Puerto Rico held 25-21.

At the 5:01 minute mark in the second quarter, Guard/Forward Steven Lewis tied the score 34:34 with a layup. But Puerto Rico went on a 16-2 run led by their NBA players Jose Barea, Carlos Arroyo and Renaldo Balkman and 7’ 3” former NBA player Fuentes Ramos.

By the end of the half, Balkman had 13 points as Puerto Rico extended their advantage to 50-36.

In the third quarter, Puerto Rico ran up 63-43 with less than five minutes remaining. Arroyo was on fire as he had their fans in ecstasy with his crisp three-point shooting. He finished the contest 6-11 from beyond the arc.

But TT kept their hopes up dominating the boards through the hard work of Trim, Ashby and Benjamin. At the 4:19 minute mark Lewis sparked the gym with an amazing cross-over move that sent NBA player Balkman to the floor and a tough layup over 7’ 3” Ramon for a three point play for a 63-46 TT deficit.

By the end of the third quarter, TT gradually fought back with Trim and Lewis getting 30 points between them and with Sheldon Koto Christian’s half-court buzzer beater TT finished the period trailing 63-73.

By midway in the fourth quarter Trim, who was having another solid performance, had fouled out. But TT kept up their intensity and shocked the star studded Puerto Rico team with their ball pressure especially by guards Haywood and Christian who held their own against Barea and Arroyo.

And with Lewis now in control of the offence, TT gradually chipped away at Puerto Rico lead. In a superman-ike display, Lewis tore apart the opponent defence scoring seven points within three minutes as TT got to within 76-78 with 3:52 left. During the battle Lewis saw all three of Puerto Rico NBA players guarding him but he was unstoppable.

In an eventful final two minutes Young who sat out most of the third period hit a three-pointer but Arroyo responded for a 84-79, Puerto Rico.

Next possession Lewis scored, 84-81. With seconds ticking away TT, Benjamin won the rebound after a missed three pointer by Arroyo and Young dribbled across the half court to hit the biggest shot of his international career as TT sent the battle into extra time, 84-84.

Then in the final session TT took over with Lewis scoring the first points of the extra period, 86-84 TT. With 24 seconds remaining Haywood secured the game with a three-point play off an assist from Young as TT extended their advantage to 93-90. Next play Ashby came up with a huge block off a three point attempt and Young sealed the win with two resulting free shot, 97-91 TT.

For TT, Steven Lewis top scored with 24 points, while Kibwe Trim tallied 18 points and 9 rebounds, Ian Young got 13 and Wilfred Benjamin chipped in with a double double,11 points and 11 rebounds

Carlos Arroyo led Puerto Rico with 24 points and 9 assists while Peter John Ramos and Renaldo Balkman tallied 17 points apiece.

Following the game TT received a standing ovation from the fans while their dressing room was swamped with scouts and agents.

Puerto Rico is one of a handful of countries to ever beat the United States in basketball. Trinidad and Tobago is the only country from the English speaking Caribbean to ever beat Puerto Rico in basketball.

Puerto Rico is currently ranked 10th in the world while Trinidad and Tobago’s national teams have never earned a world ranking. It was by far the greatest victory in the history of TT basketball.

[daryn]

well done fellas.   

[100% Barataria]

Tell dem we reach, jump up jump up

[warmonga]

am loving this
War

[E-man]

this needs a new caption

Renaldo Balkman (front) of Puerto Rico is fouled by Julius Ashby of Trinidad and Tobago during the men's FIBA Americas 2010 Centrobasket Championship game in Santo Domingo July 6, 2010.

[warmonga]

this needs a new caption

Renaldo Balkman (front) of Puerto Rico is fouled by Julius Ashby of Trinidad and Tobago during the men's FIBA Americas 2010 Centrobasket Championship game in Santo Domingo July 6, 2010.

foul ? he look like he playing wid di man wood dey boi
war

[royal]

Surprise!!!!!!???

Puerto Rico is ranked 10th in the world!

Puerto Rico put their 3 NBA players at sometime during the game to guard our local base player from Defence Force Steven 'lighter' Lewis  who drop 24 pts on dem. 

[Controversial]

any highlights of the game?

[che]

Sorry to kill the party, but we got killed by Mexico today.
I did not get the final score but mex was up 19 in the forth quarter.

[E-man]

main site: http://www.fibaamericas.com/torneos1_us.asp?t=MQVYHCKTOL

photos: http://www.daylife.com/search/photos/1/grid?q=centrobasket+trinidad

[royal]

Sorry to kill the party, but we got killed by Mexico today.
I did not get the final score but mex was up 19 in the forth quarter.

75-52 to Mexico  but I hear the english speaking caribbean having it real had with the officiating.

[royal]

Sorry to kill the party, but we got killed by Mexico today.
I did not get the final score but mex was up 19 in the forth quarter.

75-52 to Mexico  but I hear the english speaking caribbean having it real had with the officiating.

I understand the players revolt because they ain't get no money.sounds familiar. 

[Controversial]

Sorry to kill the party, but we got killed by Mexico today.
I did not get the final score but mex was up 19 in the forth quarter.

75-52 to Mexico  but I hear the english speaking caribbean having it real had with the officiating.

I understand the players revolt because they ain't get no money.sounds familiar. 

serious?

[Andre]

big up to t&t.

PR beat USA more than once.

plenty of dem other team loaded with american players.

http://www.fibaamericas.com/torneos_equipos_us.asp?t=MQVYHCKTOL

[E-man]

One win, 3 losses

Group B
# Team                W/L Pts
1. Puerto Rico         3/1 7
2. Cuba                2/2 6
3. Mexico              2/2 6
4. Belize              2/2 6
5. Trinidad and Tobago 1/3 5

7/5  TRI    vs     BIZ    71 - 80
7/7  PUR    vs     TRI    91 - 97
7/9  TRI    vs     MEX    52 - 75
7/10 CUB    vs     TRI    90 - 60

[weary1969]

One win, 3 losses

Group B
# Team                W/L Pts
1. Puerto Rico         3/1 7
2. Cuba                2/2 6
3. Mexico              2/2 6
4. Belize              2/2 6
5. Trinidad and Tobago 1/3 5

7/5  TRI    vs     BIZ    71 - 80
7/7  PUR    vs     TRI    91 - 97
7/9  TRI    vs     MEX    52 - 75
7/10 CUB    vs     TRI    90 - 60

 

[royal]

One win, 3 losses

Group B
# Team                W/L Pts
1. Puerto Rico         3/1 7
2. Cuba                2/2 6
3. Mexico              2/2 6
4. Belize              2/2 6
5. Trinidad and Tobago 1/3 5

7/5  TRI    vs     BIZ    71 - 80
7/7  PUR    vs     TRI    91 - 97
7/9  TRI    vs     MEX    52 - 75
7/10 CUB    vs     TRI    90 - 60

 

They beat the champions and loose to everybody else,as I said before money problems  and proven in todays Newsday.

[weary1969]

One win, 3 losses

Group B
# Team                W/L Pts
1. Puerto Rico         3/1 7
2. Cuba                2/2 6
3. Mexico              2/2 6
4. Belize              2/2 6
5. Trinidad and Tobago 1/3 5

7/5  TRI    vs     BIZ    71 - 80
7/7  PUR    vs     TRI    91 - 97
7/9  TRI    vs     MEX    52 - 75
7/10 CUB    vs     TRI    90 - 60

 

They beat the champions and loose to everybody else,as I said before money problems  and proven in todays Newsday.

Well once Manning is Prez and d Spalk man is Min of Sport it go b real salt dey suckin

[royal]

One win, 3 losses

Group B
# Team                W/L Pts
1. Puerto Rico         3/1 7
2. Cuba                2/2 6
3. Mexico              2/2 6
4. Belize              2/2 6
5. Trinidad and Tobago 1/3 5

7/5  TRI    vs     BIZ    71 - 80
7/7  PUR    vs     TRI    91 - 97
7/9  TRI    vs     MEX    52 - 75
7/10 CUB    vs     TRI    90 - 60

 

They beat the champions and loose to everybody else,as I said before money problems  and proven in todays Newsday.

Well once Manning is Prez and d Spalk man is Min of Sport it go b real salt dey suckin

Cosign !!!! dais one of the reasons I think he resigning because he feel de sport will suffer financially under him.he got approval for stipends for the players before the change in gov't,then when they arrive in Puerto Rico he ain't have no money for dem so the foreign base players ah hear were very upset to put it mildly.

[fari]

this needs a new caption

Renaldo Balkman (front) of Puerto Rico is fouled by Julius Ashby of Trinidad and Tobago during the men's FIBA Americas 2010 Centrobasket Championship game in Santo Domingo July 6, 2010.

fng balkman from PR??   if he could say 2 spanish words dais plenty...he from right here in south cack, i remember him well driving his scooter around campus

[Dutty]

this needs a new caption

Renaldo Balkman (front) of Puerto Rico is fouled by Julius Ashby of Trinidad and Tobago during the men's FIBA Americas 2010 Centrobasket Championship game in Santo Domingo July 6, 2010.

fng balkman from PR??   if he could say 2 spanish words dais plenty...

for real??...ah guess maybe one of his parents from dey?....I always thought de man was ah hardcore payol oui

[Bourbon]

Men's team fais beep test

T&T’s men’s basketball team has reportedly withdrawn from the 2010 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games, currently being played in Puerto Rico. General Secretary of the National Basketball Federation of T&T (NBFTT), Kelvin Roberts, said the team was withdrawn by the T&T Olympic Committee, since most of the players failed the fitness test.

Discarded point guard Derrick Boxhill and overseas based Joel Haywood were said to be the only ones to have passed the required Beep Test mark of 12.5, with both going beyond 14. The T&T team, with the majority being foreign based, placed tenth despite creating an upset against Puerto Rico, the eventual winners at the just concluded Centrobasket Championships in the Dominican Republic and returned home a week ago.

The squad for the CAC tournament was expected to have more local players as most of the foreign based returned home after the Centrobasket tournament. Meanwhile, it was agreed at an executive meeting on Saturday that Roberts will act as president of the NBFTT, until the annual general meeting on July 31. The board indicated that Brian Manning had resigned as head of the organisation.

Roberts will be required to conduct the affairs of the NBFTT until the federation elects a new president. He is expected to collect a cheque from the Ministry of Sports today to cover all the debts incurred by the two national teams at the Centrobasket tournaments in Santo Domingo and Puerto Rico. Both the local and overseas based players are expected to receive their stipends for the tournament soon after. (KS)

[Deeks]

I read there is also issues with the women's basketball team.

[weary1969]

I read there is also issues with the women's basketball team.

Anil go fix dat doh worry.

[SUPA]

Wid all d talk about d Heat and meh other shyth talk. Seriously I  never knew meh country was dat talented in this sport. De best local player I knew and saw was dat man called Platto in Tunapuna. Ah believe that is Sean Legendre d ex-green machine star forward brother. It will be real sweet tuh see one of we locals in d NBA. D only roots I know of is the Heat ruff and tuff Maglore. His parents are from T&T. HiGHLY BLESSED.