SAN JUAN (2009 FIBA Americas Championship) - Argentina won their fifth straight game at the FIBA Americas Championship and at the same time became the third team to book a ticket for the 2010 FIBA World Championship after beating Puerto Rico 80-78. Puerto Rico lost their first game but they qualified along with Brazil.

Luis Scola led with 25 points and 12 rebounds while guard Pablo Prigioni netted 11 points and had 12 assists for Argentina. Leo Gutierrez helped with 12 points and Juan Gutierrez with Federico Kammerichs had 8 each.

Puerto Rico had a great first quarter from long distance led by Ayuso and Sanchez while Carlos Arroyo led all of them with 8 points. Peter John Ramos was also key on offense making 6 points as Puerto Rico won the first quarter 22-14. Luis Scola had 6 points for Argentina and Roman Gonzalez 5.

In the second quarter came the figure of Leo Gutierrez from long distance along with Federico Kammerichs to spark a 14-0 run and give Argentina a 28-22 lead with 6:46 left. Gutierrez made four three pointers to give Argentina a 43-37 halftime advantage. Larry Ayuso and Carlos Arroyo had 10 each for Puerto Rico and Argentina had Gutierrez with 12.

Argentina continued to have an efficient showing offensively in the third quarter where they finished with 10-13 from three and also Scola led from the paint to finish up 64-52.

The Puerto Ricans made a courageous effort to make a comeback and with 6.1 seconds Larry Ayuso scored a three pointer to tie the game at 78. Then Pablo Prigioni was fouled with 3.3 seconds and made both free throws for the win.

Larry Ayuso led Puerto Rico with 19 points, Carlos Arroyo 18, Peter John Ramos 14 and Ricky Sanchez 12. Ramos was the best rebounder with 12 and Arroyo led his team in assists with 8.

Luis Modestti
FIBA Americas

ll Watch highlights of the game at FIBATV.com now - click here