2007 Tropics Sweep First Round

Three weeks before the Dec. 11, 2007 opening tip of the FIBA Americas League, the Miami Tropics' pro team existed in name only. They had not yet had a single practice and had only a vague idea of which players might show up to try to make the team.

Two days before tip-off, the Tropics did not even have their uniforms ready. The names and numbers had to be stitched on just a few hours before game time.

But there was no panic in team president Art "Pilin" Alvarez, General Manager Ed Auricchio or Head Coach Don Kelbick. They knew they had a good team.

That was proven out during the Miami Regional at FIU. The Tropics beat three talented teams in three nights, including the No. 1 pro team in Mexico (Halcones) and the 2007 Puerto Rican League runner-up (Arecibo).

On opening night, Tropics center Karel Rosario shocked everyone by scoring a career-high 32 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in Miami's 112-105 overtime win over Halcones Xalapa. Former Boston College standout Jermaine Watson led the Tropics with 36 points, but Rosario's play was the stunner.

And if you want the answer to the trivia question of who scored the first Tropics points in the FIBA era, it's B.B. Waldon.

The next night, Watson continued his onslaught with a team-high 25 points. The combo guard was the difference as the Tropics beat Mexico's Fuerza Regia, 103-88.

On night three, the Tropics eliminated the Arecibo Capitanes with an 81-71 spanking that sent shock waves all over Puerto Rico.

The Capitanes had a 12-year NBA veteran in Tony Massenburg, a Puerto Rican National Team member in Buster Figueroa, a strong American player in Roger Washington and an ex-Tropics star in point guard Pachi Cruz.

But they had no answer for Watson, who led the way again with 24 points. The Tropics' rebounders were also strong. For the three games, the Tropics outrebounded their opponents by 36.

Next up for the Tropics is a quarterfinal best-of-three series against Puerto Rican champion Santurce, which begins Jan. 16.