Centrobasket 2016

[JGX]

Puerto Rico beat Mexico 84-83 in the final as Sanchez hit a corner three with 20 seconds left and Mexico missed a good look at a three at the end. Only saw the fourth quarter, but it looked like the best game of the tournament by far.

[JGX]

Mexico tried hard to give away their semifinal against Panama, with Mata shooting 1-10 from the line, but held on for a 59-52 win. Surprise player of the tournament for Panama has been Idaho State's Geno Luzcando, who grew up in Chile and played for Chilean U15/U16 teams before switching to his mother's home country. More heralded newcomers Akil Mitchell and Tony Bishop didn't make an impact tonight.

Puerto Rico beat Dominican Republic 74-69 in the other semi, so both group runners-up advance to the final.

[JGX]

USVI beats Cuba 95-70 in the fifth place game to claim a spot in Division A of the new qualifier system. If they could only assemble nine players for this tournament, how are they going to put together a team in the middle of the season?

Bahamas crushed Nicaragua 120-77 for seventh.

[JGX]

Mexico with a big late comeback to beat Bahamas in overtime. Ayton had 24 points and 9 rebounds. Dominicans held off the USVI, so the DR and Mexico advance to the semis, while the USVI goes to the fifth place playoff.

[Mojado]

Even if Ayon joins the team in Torino, the upcoming OQT looks like it's going to be a disaster. In other news: This group could end up having a three-way tie.

Mexico loses by double digits to an understrength Dominican Republic team that barely held off the Bahamas last night.

[JGX]

Mexico loses by double digits to an understrength Dominican Republic team that barely held off the Bahamas last night.

[carlo]

Shocking loss of Puerto Rico, upset by Panama 86-64. Puerto Rican team took an early lead and stayed close in the 1st half, just to sink in Q3 when local team opened wide a lead rolling to easy victory.

Top 2017 HS recruit DeAndre Ayton was high for Bahamas win over weak Costa Rica with 18 pts.

[JGX]

Panama with a surprising 22-point win over Puerto Rico. Mexico needed overtime to beat the USVI.

[JGX]

Bahamas almost came back from 15 points behind against the USVI but a travelling call nullified a basket that would have cut the deficit to two and killed their momentum. DeAndre Ayton had a strong second half. USVI only had nine players.

Looking at the rosters, Puerto Rico should be clear favorites. Panama has some interesting new players but still depends a lot on old guys.

[JGX]

Antigua having money issues as FIBA apparently reduced their financial support to the participating teams without telling them. President of their Federation thinks they are trying to push out the English-speaking teams:

http://antiguaobserver.com/bulldogs-squad-named-amidst-panama-funding-issues/

Bahamas preview:

http://m.tribune242.com/news/2016/may/27/centrobasket-pro-players-eager-suit-team-bahamas/?templates=mobile