BASKETBALL OLYMPIC QUALIFYING : Puerto Rico, Venezuela Advance to Barcelona Games With Victories

Jose Ortiz scored 19 points, Ramon Rivas had 15 points and 17 rebounds, and Puerto Rico qualified for the Barcelona Olympics with a 92-85 victory over Argentina on Thursday night in the quarterfinals of the Tournament of the Americas.

Mario Morales made six free throws in the final 57 seconds for Puerto Rico, which will meet the United States tonight in the semifinals.

Puerto Rico, which has never finished higher than fourth in six Olympics appearances, led, 53-31, late in the first half.

Argentina appeared to pull to within three points when Hector Campana scored with 1:41 left.

Campana, however, was called for traveling and assessed a technical foul when he grabbed the official who made the call.

Venezuela 76, Canada 72--Venezuela earned its first Olympic basketball berth, but the victory didn’t come easily because Canada ate up all but two points of a 19-point second-half deficit.

Leo Rautins had 15 points to lead Canada. Bill Wennington and Mike Smrek had 12 each.

Venezuela will meet Brazil, the first-place team from its pool, in tonight’s semifinals. Brazil won the qualifying-round game, 128-81.