Rodriguez, Puerto Rico again get basketball victory over Suarez, Dominican Republic
Jun. 11—For the second time in five days, Reading High's Ruben Rodriguez and Puerto Rico defeated Muhlenberg grad Edwin Suarez and the Dominican Republic at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship Saturday at Tijuana, Mexico.
In a consolation semifinal, Puerto Rico won 74-71. Puerto Rico won 65-61 in overtime in group play Tuesday..
Rodriguez, a rising senior for the Red Knights, had nine points, seven rebounds, two assists, three steals and a block in 22:44 off the bench Saturday. The 6-2 guard shot 3-for-5 from the field and 3-for-4 from the line.
Suarez had 18 points, four rebounds, one assist and four steals in 32:14 as a starter. The 6-6 forward shot 7-for-19 from the field, including 0-for-3 on 3-pointers, and 4-for-4 from the line.
The Dominican Republic (0-5) will play in the seventh-place game Sunday. Puerto Rico (3-2) will play in the fifth-place game.
In Friday's quarterfinals, Rodriguez had 16 points and 11 rebounds for Puerto Rico in an 86-78 loss to Canada.
He shot 6-for-9 from the field and 4-for-6 from the line in 30:03 coming off the bench. He also had two assists and a steal.
Suarez had 10 points and a team-high nine rebounds in a 66-52 loss to Brazil.
He shot 4-for-16 from the field and 2-for-5 from the line. He also had one assist, one steal and one block before fouling out after playing 33:10.
Rodriguez and Suarez were All-Berks selections in each of the last two seasons, with Rodriguez being named the Berks Player of the Year in February.
