PANAMA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019) — Panama surpassed Uruguay (86-75) as locals at Estadio Roberto Durán in the FIBA Basketball World Cup China 2019 Americas Qualifiers. The Panamanian played a great offensive game and added their second victory, to equal their record 2-2 and earn the third position in Group A. Meanwhile, Uruguay (3-1), with a game that was different to the one played against Argentina, could not keep their undefeated status for the next phase.

Trevor Gaskins was the greatest scorer for the winning side, with 19 points (6/8 2PTS), followed by Ernesto Oglivie with 17 (6/8 in free throws) and Daniel Girón with 12. As for Uruguay, Esteban attained 22 points and 18 rebounds, followed by point guard Bruno Fitipaldi with 16, and 11 by Luciano Parodi.

The team coached by Manolo Hussein threw 1 47.62% from the three-point line (10/21) and 49.23% in field goals, while capturing 40 rebounds (23 defensive) and handing out 20 assists. The Uruguayans captured 35 rebounds and could only manage 8 assists for the whole game; they also achieved 20 of 37 two-pointers (54.5) and 5 of 24 three-point shots (20.83%).

Uruguay won the first quarter, 25-23, but could not keep the lead in the second, and despite Bruno Fitipaldo’s good contributions (16 points), Hussein's team and a 12-1 start closed the second quarter 44-35 (21-10) with a solid contribution by the bench, taking the lead before the half-time by 9 points, with a great reaction from the public.

A 7-1 start in the third quarter for the locals and after a spectacular dunk by Javier Carter, closed perfectly 23-12 (67-47) against an Uruguayan team that was unrecognizable from the one that played the previous 3 games in the Qualifiers and the FIBA AmeriCup. A 17-6 segment for the Signorelli squad brought an 8-point difference that caused an undefined final result after a favorable quarter for the Uruguayan team, 28-19 (86-75).

For the third stage of the Qualifiers, Panama will visit Argentina on June 28, and will welcome Paraguay on July 1st. On those same dates, Uruguay will welcome Paraguay and then visit Argentina.

FIBA