By Ruben Alcaraz

 

Yesterday took place at Centro Insular de Deportes of Gran Canaria (Spain) the semifinals of the U17 International Invitational Tournament Gran Canaria 2014, friendly event preview to FIBA U17 World Championship that will hold Lithuania from 29th June. The first semifinal met USA and Latvia. Team USA suffered the loss of its best player, Jabari Parker (’95), due a toe injury but team coached by Donald Showalter have a lot of interesting players to cover it. Latvia started with a good ball movement and making shots beyond the arc with a good percentage. Left-handed Ivars Zvigurs (’95) hit a pair of threes showing a nice touch and strong body to play against the Americans. But quickly took the control of the game and Jahlil Parker (’95) -at the pic-, best center of 2014 class according to ESPN, started to dominate the paint. His post moves turning unstoppable to Latvian Anlejs Pasecnirs (’95) a player with big size but weak body to stop USA players. US small forward Stephen Domingo (’95) showed his accurate jumpshot to take the lead at the scoreboard and to start to break the game but Latvian point guard Kristaps Plavnieks ('95) made 13 points and dished 4 assists before halftime to lead his team and keep them in the game.

At third period USA swept Latvians with their typical fastbreaks and teamwork led by Tyus Jones (’96) with 10 dimes that destroyed the European team. Rolands Smits (’95) showed his 3 point shot improve ending with 5 of 7 beyond the arc and 19 points. But Justise Winslow with 13 boards and Okafor that grabbed 15 rebounds were too much for Latvia. Final score says it all, Latvia 72 USA 108.

The gym waited the second semifinal with expectation and desire to cheer up Spain, host of the tournament, against a good and physical team like Australia. Game had a slow start from both teams excepting Nick Duncan (’95). Aussie forward showed a great knowledge of the game and fantastic shot from long range and scored 14 points before suffered a nose injury in the first half. The only player that scored easily for Spain was Ilimane Diop (’95), who made 10 points in the first quarter. Explosive guard Dante Exum (’95) showed his skills with 7 points and flashy plays and the Spanish answer to him was Agustí Sans (’95), who give a little bit of freshness to Spanish offense. At halftime Spain trailed 23 to 34. Duncan did not return to the court but his team did not need him because small forward Ben Simmons (’95) and Exum drove them to a biggest lead 25 to 49 that seemed the end of the game. Contest turned terrible for moments, both teams combined for 56 turnovers and Spain was unable to come back into the game. A three point of Alberto Abalde (’95) put Spain with a few hopes at the last minute but Australia scored nine points in the final minute to reach the final of the U17 Invitational International Tournament of Gran Canaria 2014. Final result? 55-71.

Today Spain will face Latvia at 18:30 for 3rd and 4th place and the big final between USA and Australia will be a 20h15.

 

Quotes:

Kristaps Plavnieks (Latvia): "Game was very hard. Their defense and full court press was very tough for us".

Alberto Abalde (Spain): "We haven't started with intensity. We must keep our heads up. Tomorrow (today), another game against Latvia. Is a preparation contest. We must try to improve, running faster than today (yesterday)".

 

Twitter of the author: @filipy09

 

Photo: U17 Gran Canaria 2014