107-84: Spain crushes Puerto Rico and has license to dream

Perhaps there is still a fight to prepare after securing the Olympic ticket but the Choosing Spanish will travel with the best possible sensations after defeat Puerto Rico (107-84) in the second and final test for the Games, yesterday at the WiZink Center in Madrid.

The great success of Selection in the triple, for many minutes more than 50% in the attacks focused entirely on the long shot, the team was strengthened by Scariolodominating Puerto Rico in a match that served as an injection of optimism.

Santi Aldamawith 20 points, and Lull and Juanchoboth 16, led a productive Spain attack against a rival who, few expected, would also have the Paris and what Jose has in the NBA Alvarado (19) to his best man.

The match served as the Federation’s final tribute to Rudy Fernández, who contributed 9 points and key actions in a victory finished with the applause of the fans and the presence of his entire family on the court.

Puerto Rico He responded from the start to the Spanish offensive with two triples from Alvarado and several close baskets that kept the tie in the early moments. The truth is that Spain continued to insist on the three-point shot in an inspired night, first in Abrines and Aldama of stilettos to sign a 10-0 run where he began to open the gap. All that was left was for Rudy to score an incredible triple from midfield at the buzzer at the end of the first quarter for Selection he will see silence and possible beatings (30-16).

In the second quarter the efficiency level was maintained, this time with Juancho Hernangómez on a streak in triples, with Garuba intense across the court and the other players contribute in different orders. The differences soon grew to more than twenty, again to Aldama full of confidence to 59-34. A triple ending Pineiro From the corner he eliminated the Puerto Rican crisis until intermission at 59-37.

Spain kept the scoring pace going in the third quarter with triples of its own Aldama and Juancho although back it was less effective. At 71-50 they entered a period of scoring drought that allowed them to get a little closer to their rivals (71-55) until Lull He hit the ball again with a long shot to get the team back on track. In three minutes of the third quarter the Scariolo They scored 17 points, leaving the game, if not already, completely decided (89-62).

The last quarter is a formality, with healthy ‘piques’ in between Brizuela and Clavell, plays facing the stands and one last stellar entrance by Rudy on the court to put the stamp on his career. He entered the court with a minute left and scored a triple to return to the bench amid a general ovation.

A beautiful and inspiring way to tackle the journey to Lille, where greater challenges await. After what we saw this Tuesday, however, there is license to dream.

Data sheets

Spain, 107 – Puerto Rico, 84

107 – Spain (30+29+30+18): Brown (2), Llull (16), Abrines (11), Aldama (20), Willy Hernangómez (6), -starting five-, Garuba (6), Juancho Hernangómez (16), Díaz (3), Rudy Fernández (9), Pradilla (4), López-Arostegui (2), Brizuela (12), Parra (-), Núñez (-).
84 – Puerto Rico (16+21+25+22): Waters (9), Alvarado (19), Conditt (7), Piñeiro (12), Romero (11), -starting five-, Reed (-), Ortiz (6), Clavell (5), Howard (8), Toro (-), Thompson Jr. (4), Ford (3).
Referees: Joaquín García, Roberto Lucas and Vicente Martínez. No eliminations.
Incidents: preparatory meeting for you at the WiZink Center in front of 8,754 spectators. At halftime, Carlos Suárez and Rodrigo San Miguel, who recently announced their retirement, were honored.