PAN - Friendly match suspended after brawl

PANAMA CITY (Centrobasket Championship) - Panama and Venezuela's preparations for the upcoming Centrobasket Championship suffered a setback as a friendly between the sides was suspended after fighting broke out between the players.

Panama's Jaime Lloreda was taken to hospital with head and neck injuries and it is doubtful whether he will be available to coach Guillermo Vecchio for the tournament, which begins on Tuesday.

Lloreda had clashed with Venezuela's Tomas Aguilera during the game and both players were sent off. Venezuela were leading 38-37 when the game was suspended.

Panamanian newspaper Panama America reported that Lloreda had approached the Venezuela bench with the intention of hitting Aguilera, only to be pushed to the ground and kicked in the head by some of the Venezuelan players.

The Centrobasket Championship is being hosted by Panama and carries four qualifying berths for next year's FIBA Americas Championship.

PA Sport
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