Puerto Rico vs. Panama and Dominican Republic vs. Mexico in the Semi-Finals of the Centrobasket U17 C’ship

SANTO DOMINGO (Centrobasket U17 Championship) – The Semi-Finals of the Centrobasket U17 Championship will see Puerto Rico take on Panama and the Dominican Republic take on Mexico after the results of Day 3 of the regional championship.

Virgin Islands won the first quarter, but everything changed in the next 10 minutes of the game, as the Panamanians took the top of the scoreboard with 48% shooting from the field. Panama won the battle for the boards 57-43, and that allowed second opportunities. With good passages and excellent work from John Gunn, who had a 17-point and 15-rebound “double-double”, the Panamanians celebrated the victory.

Mexico took the second position of Group A after a 74-63 win over Guyana. In what wasn’t Mexico’s best game so far in the Centrobasket U17 Championship, the Mexicans captured their second win over Guyana 74-62. Mexico captured an early-lead and never let go of the advantage on the scoreboard. Guyana discounted from the difference and won the last quarter 21-7, but the difference accomplished by Mexico throughout the other quarters was too much to overcome. The best player for Mexico was Moises Andriassi, who had a 25-point and 11-rebound “double-double”.

Puerto Rico claimed the top of Group A after a well-fought 83-75 win over the Bahamas. Bahamas escaped on a 14-4 run, but the Boricuas recovered on time and let a 5-point difference on the scoreboard at the end of the first quarter. It was give and take during the second quarter, and the Puerto Ricans managed to take a 2-point lead to half-time. With 54% shooting from the field, Puerto Rico claimed a 10-point lead at the end of the third. Puerto Rico took the ball to the paint, and scored 44 of their points from the painted area. Puerto Rico maintained safe distance on the scoreboard and took the win against a feisty Bahamas. Jorge Torres was the leading voice for the Boricua on both sides of the court as he made his way into a 22-point and 15-rebound “double-double”.

The Dominican Republic secured the top of Group B with a 71-46 dominant win over Jamaica. From the get-go, the Dominicans established the rhythm and their lead on the scoreboard. The Dominicans shared the ball and with 22 assists, the Dominicans established a comfortable 14-point lead at the end of the first half. Nothing changed and the host kept climbing on the scoreboard to get the win. Alanzo Frink was once again the leading voice for the Dominicans with a 16-point and 10-rebound “double-double”.

Tomorrow on the Semi-Finals of the Centrobasket U17 Championship, Puerto Rico will take on Panama and the Dominican Republic will face Mexico, for the right to play in the Final.

Meanwhile on the Reclassification Round, Bahamas will take on the Virgin Islands and Jamaica will face Guyana.

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

FIBA