SAN JUAN (Puerto Rico) - Puerto Rico secured a spot in the Semi-Finals of the Centrobasket U17 Championship 2019 after earning its second win during the regional championship.

For its part, Mexico maintained undefeated status after earning a victory over the Dominican Republic in Group B action. The other three teams that will participate in the Semi-Finals will be determined during the last day of the Group Phase.

 
After finishing the first half with a single-digit advantage, Puerto Rico produced a 35-10 third quarter to make their way to another victory.

A total of five players scored double digits for Puerto Rico. Rafael Pinzón was the leader with 14 points, while Kristian Rivera and José Nazario added 13 points each. For Virgin Islands (1-1), Jahsean Corbett contributed 14 points and eight rebounds.
In the other game of Group A, Bahamas (1-1) defeated El Salvador (0-2) with an 86-57 scoreboard.

The Bahamian troop set the pace from the first minutes and was always in control. The attack in the paint was its main weapon (48 points in the paint), against a team from El Salvador that shot for a 33% from the field (61-20).

Malik Joseph, with 20 points, was the best scorer for the Bahamas, followed by Romad Dean, who added 13 points and 12 rebounds. Bryan Romero and Anthony Reyes produced 19 points each for El Salvador.

In Group B action, Mexico (2-0) came from behind and surprised the defending champions, to capture the team’s second win in the Centrobasket U17 Championship, 83-79.

After the first half culminated with the score tied at 35, the Dominicans finished the third quarter with a 17-point lead (63-46). But in the last period, the Mexicans applied defensive pressure, which led them to steals and reduces the difference.

In the final 30 seconds, Iván Bernal hit a three-pointer that put the Mexican team up, 78-77, and then stole a ball and hit a free-throw to capture a 79-77 advantage with 23 seconds.

The good defense of Mexico was again successful with another steal from Yahir Bonilla, who also scored a pair of free-throws to open the gap to 81-77 with 20 seconds left. The Dominicans, despite the team’s mistakes, had an opportunity to tie the score at 81, with six seconds left; nevertheless, Jean Montero didn’t score two free throws (the second intentionally) and the aspirations of the Dominicans vanished.

Bonilla with 27 points (11 rebounds) and Bernal with 24 points (six assists) guided Mexico. Montero, with 23 points, led the Dominican Republic.

For its part, Panama (1-1) tied its record following a 125-69 win over Jamaica (0-2).

A 21-0 run to close the second quarter, was definitive for the Panamanians to settle the match. Jamaica, after losing the first quarter 32-16, managed to tie the game at 38, with 3:48 remaining of the second quarter, but it was there when the Central American team went on a run and took a 59-38 advantage.

Guillermo Navarro with 34 points and seven steals, commanded the Panamanian attack. Johriel Zapata added 30, with eight rebounds and Isaac Hall contributed 19 points with 10 rebounds. For Jamaica, Joshua Minott culminated with 27 points and nine boards.

After these results, in Group B, the four teams still have possibilities to advance to the Semi-Finals.

This Friday, on the last day of the Group Phase, the Dominican Republic will face Jamaica, Mexico will face Panama, the Virgin Islands will clash with the Bahamas for the second place of Group A and Puerto Rico will play against El Salvador.

FIBA