Puerto Rico Remains a Hurdle for U.S.

2007/09/02 18:32:42 @NBA.com: News

Steve Springer of the LOS ANGELES TIMES writes, "While the star-studded U.S. team kicked off this men's basketball tournament in high gear and never looked back, the star-crossed Puerto Ricans stumbled into Las Vegas, burdened by a last-minute departure and nearly faded in the first round. Coach Manuel Cintron claims he was blindsided by the retirement of center Daniel Santiago on the eve of the tournament. The move was made even less palatable because Cintron learned of the exit of Santiago, who had been a member of the team for 11 years, by reading it in a newspaper."
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