Puerto Rico are headed to the quarter-finals of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup for the first time.
Mya Hollingshed scored 29 points and Arella Guirantes added 18 yesterday to lead Puerto Rico to the 92-73 win over South Korea on the final day of pool play.
Puerto Rico (2-3) scored the game’s first 18 points, including 10 by Hollingshed, and never looked back, securing the final spot in the quarter-finals that begin tomorrow.
Photo: AFP
“My shot was falling,” Hollingshed said. “I looked up and they hadn’t scored yet.”
After the final buzzer sounded, the Puerto Rico players were dancing and celebrating their accomplishment.
In other games yesterday, the US routed Bosnia and Herzegovina 121-59; China beat Belgium 81-55; Canada topped Mali 88-65; Serbia beat France 68-62; and Australia downed Japan 71-54.
Just as winning for the first time in the nation’s history earlier in the tournament did, the Puerto Rico players and coaches hope that advancing to the quarter-finals would provide some joy to the island that has been ravaged by Hurricane Fiona.
“Making history now for us, with what our country is going through right now with Hurricane Fiona, it’s monumental and I hope that it brings some joy to the country and that’s all we want to do, through basketball bring some joy,” Tayra Melendez said.
Puerto Rico were winless in their three games at the 2018 World Cup, losing by an average of nearly 28 points. The team was not even supposed to be in the tournament, but was given a spot when Russia were not allowed to compete following the invasion of Ukraine.
“It means a lot with everything going on on the island,” Hollingshed said. “With everything they are dealing with we’re playing for more than ourselves. I know everyone’s excited and encouraging us.”
South Korea had a scary moment when Yebin Yoon went down to the ground injured after missing a layup. After a few minutes of being looked at by team trainers, she was taken to the locker room. She did not return to the game.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and