SANTO DOMINGO (Centrobasket U17 Championship) – Day 2 of the Centrobasket U17 Championship handed new victories to the National Teams from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Meanwhile, Jamaica and Mexico captured their first wins of the regional championship.

Mexico started the second day of the Centrobasket U17 Championship with an 83-75 win over Bahamas. The game started even, neither team able to pull away on the scoreboard. The game was tied at 36 during half-time. Mexico got a 10-point lead during the third quarter, but Bahamas remained close. With a 46% shooting from the field, Mexico kept a safe distance on the scoreboard and took the win. Javier Gonzalez was magnificent for the Mexicans with a 32 point and 9 rebound performance.

Puerto Rico added another impressive win in the Centrobasket U17 Championship, this time over Guyana 115-48. Puerto Rico overcame a slow start and imposed its game rhythm to take a 10-point lead at the end of the first quarter. Shooting for a 56% from the field, the Boricuas kept adding to the difference throughout the remainder of the game. The Boricuas summed a whopping 35 assists in the dominant win. Gianfranco Grafal was the best for the Puerto Ricans with 23 points.

Jamaica leveled its Centrobasket U17 record at 1 win – 1 loss, after a 56-64 win over Panama. The game was a thriller from the beginning, as neither team could pull away on the scoreboard. Jamaica won the battle for the boards 52-43 and that allowed the team to take second opportunities. Panama discounted from the difference during the second half, but the Jamaicans closed better the game and secured the win. Kareem Reid was the best for the Jamaicans with 13 points and 9 rebounds.

The Dominican Republic captured their second win of the Centrobasket U17 Championship, after defeating the Virgin Islands 97-60. The Dominicans had a better start and quickly established a lead that grew to 18-points during the first half. Virgin Islands discounted from the difference and the difference was of 16-points at half-time. Nothing changed, the Dominicans marked the rhythm of the game and grew the lead after a 28-12 third quarter. The host dominated the rebound battle 65-39 and shot for a 54% from the field. The top performer for the Dominicans was Frink, who added a 16-point and 10-rebound “double-double”.

Tomorrow on the last day of the Group Phase, Panama will take on the Virgin Islands, Mexico will face Guyana, Puerto Rico will take on Bahamas and the Dominicans will face Jamaica.

The top-three teams from the Centrobasket U17 Championship will earn tickets to next year’s FIBA U18 Americas Championship in St. Catharines, Canada.

FIBA