Garcia Playing Well in Pan American Games
August 05, 2003 | Men's Basketball
Aug. 5, 2003
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville sophomore forward Francisco Garcia is playing well as a member of the Dominican Republic men's basketball national team in the 2003 Pan American Games, being staged Aug. 2-6 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Garcia came off the bench Monday night to produce 14 points and four steals in 28 minutes of action as the Domincan Republic fell 92-77 to Brazil. The Dominican Republic, which had earlier beaten Mexico 72-67 and Canada 90-88 in the event, advanced to the medal round and will face Puerto Rico tonight (Aug. 5) at approximately 9 p.m. Brazil will face the USA at 7 p.m. in the other medal semifinal contest. The losers of the two games will play tomorrow (Aug. 6) at 7 p.m. for the bronze medal while the winners will meet at 9 p.m. in the gold medal game.
A late addition to the Dominican Republic national team roster, Garcia joined his native country's national team in late July. He had scored three points and grabbed two rebounds in eight minutes of action in the first two games prior to his performance against Brazil.
The Conference USA Freshman of the Year, Garcia was a double-figure scorer in 21 games, including 13 of the last 17. The 6-7 forward was third on the team in three-point goals, hitting 57-of-134 (.425, third in Conference USA), led the Cardinals in blocked shots (40) and was honored on the 2003 C-USA All-Tournament team.
Update: Aug. 6, 2003
The Dominican Republic defeated Puerto Rico 77-65 in the semifinals of the Pan American Games men's basketball event, assuring that the team will be the first in the country's history to earn a medal in the event.
The Dominican Republic will face Brazil in the gold medal game tonight (Aug. 6) with the silver medal going to the loser. The USA, which fell 92-80 to Brazil on Tuesday, will play Puerto Rico for the bronze medal.
