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NOVI SAD (FIBA U19 World Championship) - An inspired performance from Gilberto Clavell was not enough for Puerto Rico as they slipped to a 98-94 defeat to Korea in Group D of the FIBA U19 World Championship.

The 17-year-old power forward, who plays for the Florida Air Academy, finished as top scorer with 29 points and also the highest rebounder in the match with 13 as Puerto Rico fell to their second loss of the competition.

Korea, who launched 45 shots from three-point range, owed much to the contribution of Jung-Ang University shooting guard Yoomin Park for their first victory of the tournament after he picked up 22 points as well as the highest number of assists in the match with five.

Small forward Minseob Kim was top scorer for Korea with 23 points, while shooting guard Hyeonho Kim also weighed in with 19 points.

Korea led 20-17 after the first quarter and despite controlling the match were unable to put distance between themselves and Puerto Rico, for whom point guard Josue Soto was proving influential.

Puerto Rico reduced the arrears to just one point at the end of the second quarter to trail 41-40 with Andres Torres' jump shot giving them a brief 38-33 lead, before Korea fought back through Minseob and Yoomin.

The lead changed hands several times in the third quarter, but Korea were just able to keep their noses in front with a 68-65 lead.

A dramatic fourth quarter saw Puerto Rico hold a 90-88 advantage with only one minute and 44 seconds left on the clock before Korea hit back with a late blitz of points.

Forward Yongwoog Kown levelled the scores before centre Jin Soo Kim, Yoomin and Hyeonho put Korea in control at 98-92. In the final seconds Soto made a lay-up but it was a consolation score as Korea held on.

Timothy Abraham
FIBA