SAN JUAN (Puerto Rico) - Guatemala took the last spot available at the Centrobasket U17 Women’s Championship 2019 Semi-Finals, while Puerto Rico and Mexico finished the Group Phase of the regional competition undefeated.

With the 65-64 win over the Bahamas, Guatemala finished second in Group B and joined Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic in the Semi-Finals of the regional championship.

 
In the game that decided the last ticket to the Semi-Finals between Bahamas and Guatemala, Bahamas was in front on the scoreboard, 61-56, with 1:40 left of the game, but Elisa Martinez, who finished the game with 18 points, equaled the score with five points in a row.

The Bahamas returned to the front of the scoreboard after a three-point play from Rhema Collins, with 15 seconds left, but then, on the other side, Escobar scored two free-throws to hand her team the win and qualification.

Natalie Larrañaga was the top scorer for Guatemala with 27 points. Michell Butler with 14 points and 10 rebounds and Collins with 13 points and 13 rebounds, stood out for the Bahamas.

In the clash for the first place of Group A, Mexico defeated the Dominican Republic, 73-57.

The Mexicans caught 58 rebounds (21 offense) and made 21 points. In addition, they showed collectivity in attack with 31 points coming from the bench.

The Dominicans began the final quarter with a 6-0 run to cut the difference on the scoreboard to four points, but Mexico reorganized and countered with a run of its own. Power forward Mariana Valenzuela secured the Mexican victory with a three-point play with 1:30 minutes to play.

Valenzuela and Melissa Ruiz led Mexico with 14 points each. For the Dominican Republic, Ashley Báez finished with 20 points.

For its part, Puerto Rico finished the Group Phase with a perfect record, following a 62-37 win over El Salvador.

The Puerto Ricans marked the rhythm of the game from the start with a 24-5 first quarter, and from then on, the Boricuas kept adding to the difference.

Nangely Garcia led the Puerto Rican offense with 25 points and 11 rebounds.

Costa Rica finished the Group Phase in the third position of Group A following a win over Barbados.

This Wednesday, at the Semi-Finals of the Centrobasket U17 Women’s Championship, Mexico will face Guatemala and Puerto Rico will face the Dominican Republic.

Meanwhile, in the Reclassification Round, Costa Rica will face El Salvador and Bahamas will face Barbados.

The top three teams from the Centrobasket U17 Women’s Championship 2019 will qualify to the FIBA U18 Women’s Americas Championship 2020.

FIBA