SAN SALVADOR (El Salvador) - The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Americas Pre-Qualifiers tipped off on Friday with a thrilling finish and a big game from a Costa Rican bench player in Group A.

With the top two teams in each group advancing to the regular qualifiers, the first outing of a three-game round robin schedule for each squad could be essential for boosting momentum moving forward.

Here are the results and analysis from day one:

Bahamas 89, Cuba 88

Cuba was well on their way to defeating the Bahamas. They led by 18 at the start of the fourth quarter and 88-80 with 1:57 remaining. Instead of capitalizing on an impressive performance from Jasiel Rivero (35 points), Cuba allowed the Bahamas to score nine straight points, including a winning floater with seven seconds left from Franco Miller.
It was ultimately turnovers that did Cuba in, as they coughed the ball up 18 times, including a critical mistake from Karel Guzman with 15 seconds remaining.

This was obviously a detrimental blow to Cuba’s chances of advancing past the pre-qualifiers, but if they can overcome the obvious mental effects from this loss, there are multiple positives to take away from this opening game. Cuba dominated the entire outing and Rivero and Guzman were superb as they flashed star potential.

Meanwhile, the Bahamas were outplayed besides the final two minutes, but if they can consistently score 25 points off turnovers and add 31 points from their bench, they could be a dangerous force. With stiffer challenges to come in the future, though, the Bahamas will have to tighten up their defensive rotations inside the 3-point arc.

Costa Rica 71, El Salvador 59

While both teams struggled offensively with turnovers and missed free throws, Costa Rica defeated El Salvador behind a strong defensive effort in the fourth quarter and a 19-point performance from Manrique Alvarado.

Costa Rica held their opponent to just eight points in the final 10 minutes, as they swarmed their way to five forced turnovers and severely limited El Salvador’s clean looks.

Meanwhile, the 20-year-old guard, Alvarado, had a significant impact in the win, getting to the foul line at ease, grabbing five boards at 5-foot-10 and taking command of the offense without mistakes. Isaac Conejo helped pitch in an effort of 17 points on just four field goals made while dishing out a superb 10 assists.

FIBA