Rodriguez, Suarez end FIBA Tournament on a high note

Ruben Rodriguez and Edwin Suarez each went out on a high note in the FIBA U18 Americas Championship at Tijuana, Mexico.

Rodriguez, a rising senior at Reading High, had seven points and six rebounds in an 86-82 win over Mexico in the fifth-place game.

Suarez, a senior at Muhlenberg last season, had nine points, four rebounds and four assists in a 96-75 win over Ecuador in the seventh-place game. It was just the second win in six games for the Dominicans, both against Ecuador.

The United States beat Brazil 102-60 in the championship; Canada finished third, beating Argentina 81-57.

Puerto Rico defeated the Dominican Republic twice in its head-to-head battles.

Rodriguez, a two-time All-State pick, finished the tournament with a 14.3 efficiency rating, second-best on Team Puerto Rico. He averaged 9.3 points per game, was third in both rebounds (7.2) and assists (2.2) and led the team in steals (2.0).

Suarez, a two-time All-Berks pick, led the Dominican Republic in scoring, at 11.5 points per game, rebounding (7.7), and efficiency rating (13.0). He was second in assists (1.7), and second in minutes played per game (26.3).

Rodriguez, who was born in the United States, played at Muhlenberg as a freshman before transferring to Reading for his sophomore season. His father, Ruben Sr., was born in Puerto Rico, making him eligible to play for Puerto Rico.

The Berks Player of the Year has scholarship offers from Drexel, Jacksonville University and Saint Peter’s.

Suarez, who grew up in Puerto Rico and moved to Reading in 2018, was eligible to play for the Dominican Republic because his mother, Damaris, was born there.

The Berks I champ Red Knights and Berks II champ Muhls met twice last season, with each team winning once. Suarez scored a game-high 21 points in a 63-61 Muhlenberg victory at Laureldale on Feb. 8. Eight days later the Red Knights took out the Muhls 70-54 in a Berks Conference semifinal. Rodriguez scored 14 points; Suarez scored nine points before fouling out.

The 6-6 Suarez was the league’s most dominant big man, leading the team in rebounds and blocked shots while averaging 19.0 points, second in the league.

Rodriguez averaged a league-leading 19.4 points and led the Red Knights to Berks League and District 3 Class 6A championships.