FIBAAMERICAS.COM SPECIAL ISSUE 04 Feature THREE UNDEFEATED TEAMS AT THE FIBA AmEricas CHAMPIONSHIP

After finishing the first three dates at the FIBA Americas Jesse Young with 10.5. Levon Kendall is one of the Championship there are three undefeated teams: Brazil rebounding leaders with 9.5 per game. NBA player Joel 2009 FIBA-Americas Championship August 29, 2009 (3-0), Canada (2-0) and (3-0). Anthony rounds up the paint with 9.5 points per game Brazil had a great start to the tournament with three and a total of four blocks. comfortable win over the Dominican Republic (81-68), The Canadians have only allowed 107 in two games Venezuela (85-69) and (76-67), respectively. to average 53.5 per game and left Mexico in only 40 The foursome of with an average of points, a record for this tournament. 19 points, Anderson Varejao with 14.3 and Puerto Rico has enjoyed an efficient performance by along with Alex García 10.7 per game, are key in their and to have a Full stream for great start. great start in their dream to qualify for the 2010 FIBA On offense guard is also key dishing World Championship. out six assists per game and 8.3 points while Marcelinho The wins for the local team have been against Mexico The Rautins: father and son. the puerto rican Machado and have helped from (81-66), USVI (85-74) y Uruguay (71-54). They close the the bench with 7.3 and 6.7 points per game average, first round against Canada who could be undefeated by respectively this Sunday. Thanks to that, the Brazilians became the first team Carlos Arroyo is their best scorer with an average of team to qualify into the quarterfinals in the most difficult group 19 points while Ramos follows with 11.7 and Larry Ayuso of the tournament. 10.7. on occasions comes from the Canada, has won their first two games against Mexico bench or is in the lineup as he averages 9.3 points. and US Virgin Islands thanks to their great defense and In assists Arroyo leads with 7.3 assists while Ramos is level of play of all their players, especially Andy Rautins sixth in rebounds in the tournament with 8.7 per game. who has led them offensively with an average of 14.5 This wins by Puerto Rico are very important because points per game. in the quarterfinals they will play teams like Brazil and Along with Rautins there are other players in double the Dominican Republic, two of the favorites to win it figures like Carl English who averages 11.5 points and all.

turkey2010..com

GLOBAL PARTNERS Photo: José Jiménez/FIBA

Carlos Arroyo passes de ball in front of guard Leandro Garcia Morales in the win by Puerto Rico over Uruguay by the score of 71-54. MAIN SPONSORS SCHeduLE saturday 29 sunday 30 1:30 MEX vs ISV 1:30 URU vs MEX 4:00 CAN vs URU 4:00 BRA vs PAN Javier Otero - Director of Communications FIBA-Américas Luis Modestti - Communications José Jiménez - Photography 6:30 DOM vs VEN 6:30 ARG vs DOM STAFF Chu García - Editor Albert Ortiz - Communications/IT Assistant FIBA-Americas photo Archive 9:00 PAN vs ARG 9:00 PUR vs CAN Fernando Luis Rolón - Creative Director Néstor Rodríguez - Eligibility & Doping Control and El Nuevo Día newspaper 04 Did you Know? BRAZILIANS STILL UNDEFEATED

There is no foreign player in this Championship that calls for more respect and admiration than , who has endured a losing streak suffered by Argentina in Puerto Rican land, without losing his enthusiasm and pride to give it all during each game. From the current nucleous, guard , forward Leo Gutierrez, and he, are the only ones with Olympic gold medals and, still, they did not think it twice to represent their country alongside a group of players that does not include some of that team's star players: Manu Ginobili, , Andres Nocioni, , and Walter Hermann, all of which, by different reasons, were not able to be present in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Scola, who has also won the ' fans because of his intesity, still believes in Argentina's chances to move to the Second Round.

Brazil and Venezuela have in their coaching staff players that were stars a while ago with their respective National teams: Vanderlei, who retired in 2002, and Carl Herrera, who in spite of being born in Trinidad and Tobago, is 100% Venezuelan. Vanderlei, who was born in Sao Paulo 37 years ago, and who is Spaniard coach Moncho Monsalve's assistant, was active in 56 games with the National team and scored 730 points. Herrera was the first Venezuelan to play for the Real Madrid in Spain, and in the NBA as well, wherein he won two titles with the Houston Rockets in 1994 and 1995, in a time when Nigerian ruled the court. On his last NBA phase, he wore the uniform. Leandro Barbosa: 21 points and 56% two point percentage. Photo: José Jiménez/FIBA

For the third game in a row the Brazilians did not score more than 80 points but won once again after beating Argentina 76-67. During yesterday's games, 50 Puerto Rican The trio of Barbosa, Varejao and Splitter scored 80% of their points while Argentina never gave up despite students enjoyed a tour around the Roberto Clemente Coliseum, where they had the the loss of Luis Scola who went out with foul trouble with four minutes to play but with 19 points. opportunity of watching up and close how a For Argentina, who is 0-3, their quarterfinal berth depends on their game against Panama on the last day. competition of this level and significance works. Meanwhile Canada defeated USVI 87-67 as 11 players scored while Ryan Bell didn't play.\ After the tour finished, they had the chance Walter Hodge led USVI with 18 points in 12 minutes. of enjoying two games during the afternoon.

2 04 Americas legends A GREAT FRIDAY FOR RAMOS AT roberto clemente KEY PLAYER pipoca: Coameño by adoption Foto: cortesía de El Nuevo Día.

If you hear the name Joao Jose Vianna, it is possible that you may think that they are talking about a classical pianist of Brazilian music; now, if everyone knows him as 'Pipoca', one immediately thinks of a living legend of the basketball in the Americas, especially in Puerto Rico, where he played since 1989 to 1993. With the same elasticity and athletism of Leandro Barbosa, he was an idol in Coamo, leaving it all every time he hit the floor defending for the Maratonistas. Apart from been a 6'10" center, Pipoca always put something special to his attacks, with spectaculars dunks and screams that made the stands trembled. Notwithstanding, he was always a great rebounder and impeccable defender, winning adepts everywhere. He finished his tenure in Coamo with 16.7 points and 10.8 rebounds, doing more that what he did with Brazil's national team for 13 years, turning the act of defending an art. 7 Nevertheless, he is loved there, his big country, and in Coamo, his second home...

Those with knowledge that are present at the FIBA Americas Championship do Pipoca: played for years with the Maratonistas de Coamo. not get tired of repeating that Dominican Republic's only weakness is: their lack of good guards. This does not go in tune with their superiority on the paint with The Dominicans, trying the likes of Al Horford, Charlie Villanueva, Yack Micheal Martinez and Marlon Martinez. to end up their bad streak Nonetheless, Luis Flores has the talent, scoring power and the will to break these Dominican Republic is currently undergoing a process that may take them to arguments of those who try to examine their first direct pass to a World Championship, after four fruitless attempts in the Dominican team. World Championship qualifiers. Flores, 6'2", was the last scoring leader The bad streak started in 1989, during the World Championship Qualifier in of Israel's Premier League, averaging 18.2 Mexico, a tournament in which they finished in sixth place (with five available with Hopoel Holon, which clearly shows spots), with record of 5-3, with wins over USA, Argentina, Panama, Mexico and his capacity at the offensive end in a Cuba, and loses against Canada, Venezuela and Puerto Rico. continent that does not look often for Four years later, in San Juan, with also five available spots, they were eliminated player in the Dominican Republic. in the first round. Hector Baez was their head and the team was integrated by His debut with the national team came players like Luis Felipe Lopez, Jose 'Grillo' Vargas, Tito Horford, and Jose 'Maita' in 1999, during the Pan-American Games Mercedes. in Winnipeg, Canada. Before that, he In Montevideo 1997, they also failed to maket it past the first round, finishing showed signs of talent in the NCAA, first with 0-4, all the while undergoing a generation change. with Rutgers University and later with In 2005, and even though the qualifying championship took place in their land, Manhattan College, in 2002-03, where he finished averaging 24.6 points. a record of 4-4 was not enough to Grant them a ticket for Japan. In that tournament, Peter John Ramos goes over center Esteban Batista while Reque Newsome Photo: José Jiménez/FIBA they defeated Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Mexico and Venezuela, but lose to Argentina, stays behind in his attempt to stop the Puerto Rican giant. As a matter of fact, he was name Most Valuable Player of the Metro Conference Brazil, USA, and most surprisingly, with Panama. Foto: José Jiménez/FIBA The Dominicans are now saying that "the fifth is the charm".... after helping his team to win the NCAA Al Horford: he hasn't had a great start despite all expectations. Peter John Ramos was even larger against Uruguay with 15 points and 12 rebounds while Carlos Arroyo Championship with record of 23-7. kept rolling with his attack and leadership so Puerto Rico could still be undefeated after beating Uruguay During the 2004 Draft, Flores was 71-54, showing that they are a serious contender in this tournament. selected #55 by the , With this win this secures their quarterfinal berth while Canada is close by with two wins. but he did not have much success in the Puerto Rico started cold in their attack, but gave the opportunity along with NBA, and decided to try in Italy and Arroyo and Larry Ayuso to come back against Uruguay who had an unstoppable Esteban Batista. Greece. In the first game, Panama surprised Venezuela 80-71 with a zone defense that gave results. If the Dominicans continue winning and Jaime Lloreda led with 19 points while Danilo Pinnock netted 17. For the Venezuelan, Richard Lugo had finally get a ticket to Turkey 2010, it would 14 rebounds and 15 points. be safe to say that Flores was a key ingredient because of his scoring capability. 6 puertorico2009.FIBAAMERICAs.com 3 04 boxscore Campeonato FIBA AMéRICAS 2009 ARG 67 GAME 9 VEN 71 GAME 11

Scola Lugo 19 pts 15 pts 3 reb 14 reb BRA 76 PAN 80

barbosa Lloreda 21 pts 19 pts 4 reb 8 reb GAME 10 GAME 12 ISV 67 URU 64

Hodge BATISTA 18 pts 19 Pts 5 asistencias 8 REB CAN 87 PUR 71 MEX

Young Ramos 14 Pts 15 Pts 7 reb 12 reb 4 5 04 boxscore Campeonato FIBA AMéRICAS 2009 ARG 67 GAME 9 VEN 71 GAME 11

Scola Lugo 19 pts 15 pts 3 reb 14 reb BRA 76 PAN 80

barbosa Lloreda 21 pts 19 pts 4 reb 8 reb GAME 10 GAME 12 ISV 67 URU 64

Hodge BATISTA 18 pts 19 Pts 5 asistencias 8 REB CAN 87 PUR 71 MEX

Young Ramos 14 Pts 15 Pts 7 reb 12 reb 4 5 04 Americas legends A GREAT FRIDAY FOR RAMOS AT roberto clemente KEY PLAYER pipoca: Coameño by adoption Foto: cortesía de El Nuevo Día.

If you hear the name Joao Jose Vianna, it is possible that you may think that they are talking about a classical pianist of Brazilian music; now, if everyone knows him as 'Pipoca', one immediately thinks of a living legend of the basketball in the Americas, especially in Puerto Rico, where he played since 1989 to 1993. With the same elasticity and athletism of Leandro Barbosa, he was an idol in Coamo, leaving it all every time he hit the floor defending for the Maratonistas. Apart from been a 6'10" center, Pipoca always put something special to his attacks, with spectaculars dunks and screams that made the stands trembled. Notwithstanding, he was always a great rebounder and impeccable defender, winning adepts everywhere. He finished his tenure in Coamo with 16.7 points and 10.8 rebounds, doing more that what he did with Brazil's national team for 13 years, turning the act of defending an art. 7 Nevertheless, he is loved there, his big country, and in Coamo, his second home... LUIS FLORES

Those with knowledge that are present at the FIBA Americas Championship do Pipoca: played for years with the Maratonistas de Coamo. not get tired of repeating that Dominican Republic's only weakness is: their lack of good guards. This does not go in tune with their superiority on the paint with The Dominicans, trying the likes of Al Horford, Charlie Villanueva, Yack Micheal Martinez and Marlon Martinez. to end up their bad streak Nonetheless, Luis Flores has the talent, scoring power and the will to break these Dominican Republic is currently undergoing a process that may take them to arguments of those who try to examine their first direct pass to a World Championship, after four fruitless attempts in the Dominican team. World Championship qualifiers. Flores, 6'2", was the last scoring leader The bad streak started in 1989, during the World Championship Qualifier in of Israel's Premier League, averaging 18.2 Mexico, a tournament in which they finished in sixth place (with five available with Hopoel Holon, which clearly shows spots), with record of 5-3, with wins over USA, Argentina, Panama, Mexico and his capacity at the offensive end in a Cuba, and loses against Canada, Venezuela and Puerto Rico. continent that does not look often for Four years later, in San Juan, with also five available spots, they were eliminated player in the Dominican Republic. in the first round. Hector Baez was their head and the team was integrated by His debut with the national team came players like Luis Felipe Lopez, Jose 'Grillo' Vargas, Tito Horford, and Jose 'Maita' in 1999, during the Pan-American Games Mercedes. in Winnipeg, Canada. Before that, he In Montevideo 1997, they also failed to maket it past the first round, finishing showed signs of talent in the NCAA, first with 0-4, all the while undergoing a generation change. with Rutgers University and later with In 2005, and even though the qualifying championship took place in their land, Manhattan College, in 2002-03, where he finished averaging 24.6 points. a record of 4-4 was not enough to Grant them a ticket for Japan. In that tournament, Peter John Ramos goes over center Esteban Batista while Reque Newsome Photo: José Jiménez/FIBA they defeated Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Mexico and Venezuela, but lose to Argentina, stays behind in his attempt to stop the Puerto Rican giant. As a matter of fact, he was name Most Valuable Player of the Metro Conference Brazil, USA, and most surprisingly, with Panama. Foto: José Jiménez/FIBA The Dominicans are now saying that "the fifth is the charm".... after helping his team to win the NCAA Al Horford: he hasn't had a great start despite all expectations. Peter John Ramos was even larger against Uruguay with 15 points and 12 rebounds while Carlos Arroyo Championship with record of 23-7. kept rolling with his attack and leadership so Puerto Rico could still be undefeated after beating Uruguay During the 2004 Draft, Flores was 71-54, showing that they are a serious contender in this tournament. selected #55 by the Golden State Warriors, With this win this secures their quarterfinal berth while Canada is close by with two wins. but he did not have much success in the Puerto Rico started cold in their attack, but Manolo Cintron gave Filiberto Rivera the opportunity along with NBA, and decided to try in Italy and Arroyo and Larry Ayuso to come back against Uruguay who had an unstoppable Esteban Batista. Greece. In the first game, Panama surprised Venezuela 80-71 with a zone defense that gave results. If the Dominicans continue winning and Jaime Lloreda led with 19 points while Danilo Pinnock netted 17. For the Venezuelan, Richard Lugo had finally get a ticket to Turkey 2010, it would 14 rebounds and 15 points. be safe to say that Flores was a key ingredient because of his scoring capability. 6 puertorico2009.FIBAAMERICAs.com 3 04 Did you Know? BRAZILIANS STILL UNDEFEATED

There is no foreign player in this Championship that calls for more respect and admiration than Luis Scola, who has endured a losing streak suffered by Argentina in Puerto Rican land, without losing his enthusiasm and pride to give it all during each game. From the current nucleous, Pablo Prigioni, forward Leo Gutierrez, and he, are the only ones with Olympic gold medals and, still, they did not think it twice to represent their country alongside a group of players that does not include some of that team's star players: Manu Ginobili, Carlos Delfino, Andres Nocioni, Fabricio Oberto, and Walter Hermann, all of which, by different reasons, were not able to be present in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Scola, who has also won the Houston Rockets' fans because of his intesity, still believes in Argentina's chances to move to the Second Round.

Brazil and Venezuela have in their coaching staff players that were stars a while ago with their respective National teams: Vanderlei, who retired in 2002, and Carl Herrera, who in spite of being born in Trinidad and Tobago, is 100% Venezuelan. Vanderlei, who was born in Sao Paulo 37 years ago, and who is Spaniard coach Moncho Monsalve's assistant, was active in 56 games with the National team and scored 730 points. Herrera was the first Venezuelan to play for the Real Madrid in Spain, and in the NBA as well, wherein he won two titles with the Houston Rockets in 1994 and 1995, in a time when Nigerian Hakeem Olajuwon ruled the court. On his last NBA phase, he wore the San Antonio Spurs uniform. Leandro Barbosa: 21 points and 56% two point percentage. Photo: José Jiménez/FIBA

For the third game in a row the Brazilians did not score more than 80 points but won once again after beating Argentina 76-67. During yesterday's games, 50 Puerto Rican The trio of Barbosa, Varejao and Splitter scored 80% of their points while Argentina never gave up despite students enjoyed a tour around the Roberto Clemente Coliseum, where they had the the loss of Luis Scola who went out with foul trouble with four minutes to play but with 19 points. opportunity of watching up and close how a For Argentina, who is 0-3, their quarterfinal berth depends on their game against Panama on the last day. competition of this level and significance works. Meanwhile Canada defeated USVI 87-67 as 11 players scored while Ryan Bell didn't play.\ After the tour finished, they had the chance Walter Hodge led USVI with 18 points in 12 minutes. of enjoying two games during the afternoon.

2 FIBAAMERICAS.COM SPECIAL ISSUE 04 Feature THREE UNDEFEATED TEAMS AT THE FIBA AmEricas CHAMPIONSHIP

After finishing the first three dates at the FIBA Americas Jesse Young with 10.5. Levon Kendall is one of the Championship there are three undefeated teams: Brazil rebounding leaders with 9.5 per game. NBA player Joel 2009 FIBA-Americas Championship August 29, 2009 (3-0), Canada (2-0) and Puerto Rico (3-0). Anthony rounds up the paint with 9.5 points per game Brazil had a great start to the tournament with three and a total of four blocks. comfortable win over the Dominican Republic (81-68), The Canadians have only allowed 107 in two games Venezuela (85-69) and Argentina (76-67), respectively. to average 53.5 per game and left Mexico in only 40 The foursome of Leandro Barbosa with an average of points, a record for this tournament. 19 points, Anderson Varejao with 14.3 and Tiago Splitter Puerto Rico has enjoyed an efficient performance by along with Alex García 10.7 per game, are key in their Carlos Arroyo and center Peter John Ramos to have a Full stream for great start. great start in their dream to qualify for the 2010 FIBA On offense guard Marcelo Huertas is also key dishing World Championship. out six assists per game and 8.3 points while Marcelinho The wins for the local team have been against Mexico The Rautins: father and son. the puerto rican Machado and Guilherme Giovannoni have helped from (81-66), USVI (85-74) y Uruguay (71-54). They close the the bench with 7.3 and 6.7 points per game average, first round against Canada who could be undefeated by respectively this Sunday. Thanks to that, the Brazilians became the first team Carlos Arroyo is their best scorer with an average of team to qualify into the quarterfinals in the most difficult group 19 points while Ramos follows with 11.7 and Larry Ayuso of the tournament. 10.7. Daniel Santiago on occasions comes from the Canada, has won their first two games against Mexico bench or is in the lineup as he averages 9.3 points. and US Virgin Islands thanks to their great defense and In assists Arroyo leads with 7.3 assists while Ramos is level of play of all their players, especially Andy Rautins sixth in rebounds in the tournament with 8.7 per game. who has led them offensively with an average of 14.5 This wins by Puerto Rico are very important because points per game. in the quarterfinals they will play teams like Brazil and Along with Rautins there are other players in double the Dominican Republic, two of the favorites to win it figures like Carl English who averages 11.5 points and all.

turkey2010.fiba.com

GLOBAL PARTNERS Photo: José Jiménez/FIBA

Carlos Arroyo passes de ball in front of guard Leandro Garcia Morales in the win by Puerto Rico over Uruguay by the score of 71-54. MAIN SPONSORS SCHeduLE saturday 29 sunday 30 1:30 MEX vs ISV 1:30 URU vs MEX 4:00 CAN vs URU 4:00 BRA vs PAN Javier Otero - Director of Communications FIBA-Américas Luis Modestti - Communications José Jiménez - Photography 6:30 DOM vs VEN 6:30 ARG vs DOM STAFF Chu García - Editor Albert Ortiz - Communications/IT Assistant FIBA-Americas photo Archive 9:00 PAN vs ARG 9:00 PUR vs CAN Fernando Luis Rolón - Creative Director Néstor Rodríguez - Eligibility & Doping Control and El Nuevo Día newspaper