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*** CUBAN MEN BASKETBALL MAIN PAGE ***
 | Centrobasket 2008: Dominicans grab the Bronze in Cancun | |
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by Eurobasket News - Sep 1, 2008 | |  | Cuba - Dominican Republic 74-102
Dominican Republic demonstrated its power against Cuba in the battle for the Bronze on Centrobasket Championship 2008 in Cancun. It means that Cuba stays without the medal on this event but the good thing for both teams is that they succeeded to qualify for the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship.
Dominican Republic was better team from the beginning. Its players had fantastic stroke during the entire time. At the end they recorded 53% from behind the arc as well as 65% for FG2. At the same time Dominicans outrebounded Cubans grabbing 29 boards matched with 20 by Cuba. First period belonged to Dominicans 19-23 while during the next one they stretched lead to 13 points. Game is decided during the following ten minutes. Jack Michael Martinez (203-F/C-81, agency: Paris Global Sports) was on fire leading Dominican Republic to 18-24 in third frame. It means that winner of this game created huge plus 19 before the last quarter. Actually that one also belonged to Dominicans, which celebrated 28-point victory at the end.
Jack Michael Martinez paced Dominican Republic to Bronze netting 21 points for 29 minutes. Kelvin Pena (193-G-81, college: Southeastern CC) followed with 14 while Franklin Western (200-F-72, college: Providence) had one point less. Geoffrei Silvestre (202-F/C-79) was the best scorer of the game with 29 points including 4 rebounds. Interesting but he was the only one in Cuba with double digits.
Cuba - Dominican Republic 74-102
(19-23, 22-31, 18-24, 15-24)
Cuba: Geoffrei Silvestre 29 (4 rebs)
Dominican Republic: Jack Michael Martinez 21, Kelvin Pena 14, Franklin Western 13 |
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| Centrobasket 2008: Virgins Islands outplays Cuba advancing to the big final | |
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by Eurobasket News - Aug 31, 2008 | | | Virgin Islands Cuba 78-61
USVI is the first finalist of Centrobasket Championship 2008 in Mexico. Virgin Islands showed wonderful performance dominating against Cuba in the semifinals. In the other semifinal game Puerto Rico registered extremely tight win against Dominican Republic. It means that Virgin Islands will take on Puerto Rico for the Gold while Cuba will meet Dominican Republic fighting for the Bronze.
Virgin Islands was a way better team in this game. It won each quarter to the final plus 17. First one ended 19-17 while during the next 10 minutes Virgin Islands extended lead to 6 points. Jason Edwin (196-G/F-81, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement, college: Kent St.), Cuthbert Victor (196-G-83, college: Murray St.) and Kevin Sheppard (182-G-79, agency: Paris Global Sports, college: Jacksonville) were on the right track scoring more than 2/3 of Virgin Islands' points in this game. The winning side also had total control in the paint grabbing 40 rebounds while Cuba had only 20. It talks for itself about USVI domination under the basket. Third quarter belonged to USVI 17-14 while in the last one it just sealed a spot in the final with 24-16. Both teams struggled with shots from the field but USVI registered many offensive rebounds getting a second chances to score.
Jason Edwin demonstrated impressive performance collecting 22 points and 9 rebounds. Cuthbert Victor alos was great making double-double, 20 points and 14 rebounds. Mostly owing to these two players as well as Kevin Sheppard, who scored 14, USVI advanced to the final. Allens Jemmott (193-G-80) added 10 points for the loosing side and actually was the only one with double-digits.
Virgin Islands - Cuba 78-61
(19-17, 18-14, 17-14, 24-16)
Virgin Islands: Jason Edwin 22 (9 rebs), Cuthbert Victor 20 (14 rebs), Kevin Sheppard 14 (10 rebs)
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| Centrobasket 2008: Cuba seals semifinals against Costa Rica | |
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by Eurobasket News - Aug 30, 2008 | | | Costa Rica - Cuba 77-94
Cubans once again demonstrated nice performance on Centorbasket Championship 2008. This time Cubans were too strong for Costa Rica, advancing to the semifinals from the second place of Group B. As a reminder, Cuba recorded excellent win against defending champions Panama in the first game and mostly owing to that victory Cubans get through Group B.
Cuba didn't let Costa Rica to make better digits extending lead after every single quarter. The first one was 20-25 while the same difference was in the next one. Cuba had Allens Jemmott (193-G-80) and Geoffrei Silvestre (202-F/C-79) which were in a game mood what at the end was more than enough for comfortable victory. After 30 minutes of the game Cubans had plus 14. They had decent 27 of 49 for FG2, 55%. Costa Rica was pretty close in rebounding as well as in all shot percentages but it seems that Cubans played as much as it was necessary for the semis.
This time Cuba got the most from Allens Jemmott. He spent 28 minutes on court collecting 25 points and 4 assists. Geoffrei Silvestre once again was great adding 20 points and 8 boards while Alexis Lavastida (187-G-77) counted until 16. David Carnegie (193-F-84) was better than the others in Costa Rica with 17 points and impressive 14 rebounds. Spencer Jaffry had 12 points and 4 boards. Cuba will take on top ranked team from Group A - USVI. Costa Rica continues championship in Classification Round for 5th to 8th place.
Costa Rica - Cuba 77-94
(20-25, 22-27, 17-21, 18-21)
Costa Rica: David Carnegie 17 (14 rebs), Spencer Jaffry 12 (4 rebs)
Cuba: Allens Jemmott 25 (4 as), Geoffrei Silvestre 20 (8 rebs), Alexis Lavastida 16 |
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| Centrobasket 2008: Jose Juan Barea paces Puerto Rico to the semis | |
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by Eurobasket News - Aug 29, 2008 | | | Cuba - Puerto Rico 90-103
Puerto Rico proved its quality again Cuba remaining undefeated after two days of Centrobasket Championship 2008. With this victory Puerto Ricans also booked a spot for the semifinals. On the other hand, Cuba will have a good chance to do the same. Yesterday's victory allowed Cubans to fight for the semis thus if they beat Costa Rica in the last game one place in the semifinals will be reserved for them. Even if Cuba suffers defeat against Costa Rica and Puerto Rico celebrate against Panama, Cubans will have a chance for the next stage.
Puerto Ricans resolved question about the winner already in the first half. Jose Juan Barea (181-G-84, agency: KMG Sports Management, college: Northeastern) was totally unstoppable during the entire game. Moslty owing to him Puerto Rico ended first quarter 21-34. Interesting that Jose Juan Barea, Alex Falcon (200-F-74, agency: Next Level) and Javier Mojica came into this game from the bench but scored 20 of Puerto Rico's 34 points in the first frame. Barea continued in the same rhythm giving serious headache to the Cubans. His penetrations and killing passes were enough for plus 20 for his team at the half time. After the breather Puerto Ricans slowed down what Cuba tried to exploit but unsuccessful. Puerto Rico controlled this game until the very end.
Jose Juan Barea was a key player in his team. He spent 31 minutes on court collecting 19 points, 4 rebounds and impressive 15 assists. Alex Falcon also shined for the winners with 19 points and 4 rebounds while Angelo Reyes (205-F/C-81) had 14 points and 6 rebounds. Geoffrei Silvestre (202-F/C-79) once again was the best player in Cuba adding 25 points and 5 rebounds. Yoan Luis Haiti (200-C-82) had 19 points and 5 boards.
Cuba - Puerto Rico 90-103
(21-34, 21-28, 20-19, 28-22)
Cuba: Geoffrei Silvestre 25 (5 rebs), Yoan Luis Haiti 19 (5 rebs)
Puerto Rico: Jose Juan Barea 19 (4 rebs, 15 as), Alex Falcon 19 (4 rebs), Angelo Reyes 14 (6 rebs) |
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| Centrobasket 2008: Geoffrei Silvestre crushes Panama in the opener | |
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by Eurobasket News - Aug 28, 2008 | | | Cuba - Panama 101-85
Cuba outplayed reining Centrobasket champions Panama in the opener 101-85. Spectators in Kuchil Baxal Coliseum in Cancun had an opportunity to enjoy watching Geoffrei Silvestre (202-F/C-79), who demonstrated wonderful performance leading his team 1-0 in Group B. As a reminder, except of these two teams Puerto Rico and Costa Rica are also placed in the same group.
Cuba showed slightly better performance in the first half. After opening ten minutes it was 27 -26. Cubans managed to extend lead to 43-40 until the half time. Crucial period of the game was third quarter. Cubans intensified defense and mostly owing to fantastic Geoffrei Silvestre created impressive 12-0 run for 70-54. Later, Cuba ended third period 29-19 having comfortable 13-point lead before the last frame. Panamanians weren't able even to threat during the last ten minutes. Actually, Cuba extended its lead even more finishing the game with plus 16. Panama recorded only 28% from behind the arc making 5 of 18 attempts. At the same time Panamanians also had not so good 48% for FG2. Cubans registered a bit better digits as well as 5 rebounds more, what was enough for comfortable win.
Geoffrei Silvestre paced Cuba to very important victory. He was totally unstoppable in this game nailing amazing 41 points and grabbing 6 rebounds for 38 minutes. He had 12/21 for FG2, 0/3 for 3-pts and 17/21 free throws. Allens Jemmott (193-G-80) followed him scoring 17 points (11 in the first half) while Michael Guerra (188-G-79) stopped on 12 points and 5 assists. Danilo Pinnock (196-G-83, agency: Pro One Sports, college: George Washington) shined in Panama collecting 33 points and 4 rebounds. Jamar Warren (194-G/F-79, agency: ProSportsCareers, college: Missouri So.) stopped on 12 points and 5 boards. In the next round Cuba will take on strong Puerto Rico while Panama will meet Costa Rica.
Cuba - Panama 101-85
(27-26, 16-14, 29-19, 29-26)
Cuba: Geoffrei Silvestre 41 (6 rebs), Allens Jemmott 17, Michael Guerra 12 (5 as)
Panama: Danilo Pinnock 33 (4 rebs), Jamar Warren 12 (5 rebs) |
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| Cuban National Team for Centrobasket 2008 | |
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#s#
Jemmott |
Silvestre |
Haiti |
#e#4
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