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| September 4, 2002 | Wednesday | Jamadi-us-Saani25,1423 |
Champions title hopes endangered
INDIANAPOLIS, Sept 3: Yugoslavia’s chances of defending their World Basketball Championships title were put in serious danger Monday with a loss to Puerto Rico, while the United States continued to roll with a victory against Russia.
Yugoslavia blew an 11-point lead with 6:45 remaining as Puerto Rico upset the record four-time champions 85-83 in their first game of the second round.
Carlos Arroyo and Daniel Santiago powered a 16-3 Puerto Rican run to take the lead 80-78 with 2:10 left. With the game tied 83-83 with 2.1 seconds left, the 38-year-old veteran Jose Ortiz hit two free throws to clinch Puerto Rico’s third victory in four games.
Santiago led Puerto Rico team with 31 points - including seven in the late run - and 10 rebounds while Arroyo scored eight of his 10 points in the fourth-quarter dash and dished out nine assists.
Predrag Stojakovic led the Yugoslavs with 26 points, but it was not enough as the reigning European champions suffered their second loss.
Spain remained unbeaten in four games after knocking off Turkey 87-64 - in getting revenge for a loss at the 2001 European Championships. Pau Gasol paced the way for the Iberians with 17 points and nine rebounds, while Mehmet Okur scored 17 points for Turkey, who lost their third game of the tourney.
Brazil also have four wins following a 86-83 overtime victory against African champions Angola, thanks to 25 points by Marcelo Machado and clutch free throw shooting by Rogerio Klafke.
Angola were ahead 74-71 with 8.9 seconds in regulation, but Klafke hit three free throws to even the game. Angolan forward Joaquim Gomes missed a lay-up with four seconds left to send the game to overtime, where Brazil scored the first six points to take control.
Three-time champions United States remained in control of Group F with their fourth straight victory, a 106-82 decision against Russia.
The 1950 winners Argentina had little trouble against China with a 95-71 victory as Luis Scola led the way with 14 points for the undefeated South Americans.
China star Yao Ming scored 11 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out four assists.
New Zealand were without center Sean Marks, who is out of the rest of the tournament with an injury to his right eye.
In the semi-finals for places 13-16, Canada beat Lebanon 91-67 and Venezuela knocked off Algeria 98-83.—dpa
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