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.
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