Jose Juan Barea led Puerto Rico to Gold in Mexico. In five games he collected 111 points, 12 rebounds and 32 assists in total. He is the second best scorer of the championship draining 22.2 ppg. At the same time guard of NBA Dallas Mavericks dished out 6.4 apg meaning that he is the best assistant of this prestigious event. It is not everything. Barea is also third stealer with 1.6 spg and what is the most important he was named MVP of Centrobasket Championship 2008 in Mexico.
Jose Juan Barea led Puerto Rico to Gold in Mexico. In five games he collected 111 points, 12 rebounds and 32 assists in total. He is the second best scorer of the championship draining 22.2 ppg. At the same time guard of NBA Dallas Mavericks dished out 6.4 apg meaning that he is the best assistant of this prestigious event. It is not everything. Barea is also third stealer with 1.6 spg and what is the most important he was named MVP of Centrobasket Championship 2008 in Mexico.
Top scorer of the championship is Silvestre Geoffrei of Cuba. He drained 124 points in total (24.8 ppg). Jose Juan Barea is second while third place on this list belongs to Victor Chubert of USVI. Chubert had 109 points for five games - 21.8 ppg.
Victor Chubert is also the best rebounder of Centrobasket 2008. Actually Angelo Reyes of Puerto Rico and Chubert share top position grabbing 50 rebounds each - 10 rpg. Third place is reserved for Horford of Dominican Republic, who had 9.8 rpg.
As it is mentioned above Jose Juan Bare dished out the most assists on this event. Peralta of Panama is on the second place with 4.8 apg. Carlos Arroyo followed him delivering 4.5 apg.
Victor Chubert of USVI is on another list. This one is for the best stealer and Chubert is the leading one with 2 spg. Ayon Gustav is second with 1.8 spg while Jose Juan Barea is third with 1.6 spg.
Cuba - Dominican Republic 74-102
3rd place game: Dominican Rep. proved to aspire not just for bronze, but they made the point they deserver at least silver. After they almost eliminated Puerto Rico in the dramatic semifinals game (lost by 2 points), now they gave no chance to Cuba defeating them with huge margin 102-74. Dominican players controlled the whole game leaving only the question what their final lead would be. Jack Michael Martinez was again unstoppable with 21 points.
Cuba - Dominican Republic 74-102 3rd place game: Dominican Rep. proved to aspire not just for bronze, but they made the point they deserver at least silver.
After they almost eliminated Puerto Rico in the dramatic semifinals game (lost by 2 points), now they gave no chance to Cuba defeating them with huge margin 102-74.
Dominican players controlled the whole game leaving only the question what their final lead would be.
Jack Michael Martinez was again unstoppable with 21 points. He had big help from Kelvin Pena (14), Franklin Western (13), Francisco Garcia (11+6ast) and Alfred Horford (11+7reb).
Buba gave up basically this game not trying to challenge their opponents. Only Cuban leader Geoffrei Silvestre tried to stay in his usual shape and ended the game with 29 points.
He ended the whole tournament as second best scorer averaging 24.8ppg.
Mexico - Panama 104-67 5th place game: Mexico cannot consider this edition of Centrobasket as their big success.
They had much higher expectations and 5th place is definitely not what Mexican fans were looking for.
In the 5th place game Mexicans gave no chance to Panama, defeating them easily 104-67.
Lorenzo Real was the best player for Mexicans with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Other important contributions came from Gustavo Ayon (15+6reb+5ast), Raymond Castillo (14) and Noe Alonzo (13).
For Panamanians Jamar warren had 14 points and added 6 rebounds and Ernesto Oglivie had 11 points and 8 rebounds.
Panamanian Danilo Pinnock (played only in first 3 games) was the best scorer of the tournament with impressive 28.0ppg.
Puerto Rico - U.S. Virgin Islands 87-70 Final: Puerto Rico resisted a big preassure of the final and got easy victory over U.S. Virgin Islands 87-70.
It came as a big surprise especially after Puerto Ricans struggled in the semifinal game against Dominican Rep. securing just 2-point victory (76-74).
This time Jose Juan Barea got some rest (15 points), while Puerto Rico was lead by Carmelo Lee (21 + 6reb). Six players scored double digits for the winners.\
Carlos Arroyo adedd another 15 and grabbed 6 rebounds, Angelo reyes ended with 12 and Filiberto Rivera and Luis Silva had 11 points each.
At Virgin Islands side Cuthbert Victor tried his best with 24 points and 12 rebs. He got some help from Kitwana Rhymer (16) and Jason Edwin (15).
Puerto Rico definitely deserve the title as (except semifinal game) they were the only undefeated team over the entire tournament.
FINAL
Virgin Islands - Puerto Rico 70-87
Puerto Rico was too strong for Virgin Islands in the final game of Centrobasket Championship 2008 in Cancun. Puerto Ricans were the main candidates for the Gold before the beginning of this prestigious event and they succeeded to handle that pressure successfully until the very end. Silver medal once again belongs to Virgin Islands, which also booked a spot for the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship.
FINAL
Virgin Islands - Puerto Rico 70-87 Puerto Rico was too strong for Virgin Islands in the final game of Centrobasket Championship 2008 in Cancun. Puerto Ricans were the main candidates for the Gold before the beginning of this prestigious event and they succeeded to handle that pressure successfully until the very end. Silver medal once again belongs to Virgin Islands, which also booked a spot for the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship.
Puerto Rico's most powerful weapon on this game was shot from behind the arc. Jose Juan Barea (181-G-84, agency: KMG Sports Management, college: Northeastern) and his teammates drained 15 of 27 attempts, what is 56%. Everything started good for Puerto Ricans as they created 20-25 after ten minutes. Cuthbert Victor (196-G-83, college: Murray St.) shined for Virgin Islands in the next frame leading his team to 18-17 in the second quarter. After the breather, Puerto Rico once again took control on USVI. This time it was Carmelo Lee (200-F-77, agency: Paris Global Sports, college: Long Beach St.), who led his team at the offensive end. He, together with Carlos Arroyo (188-G-79, agency: Interperformances, college: Florida Intern.) and Jose Juan Barea, brought 54-61 to Puerto Rico. During the following few minutes its advantage became even bigger until the final plus 17. It is important to be mentioned that USVI in this game recorded terrible 25% for 3-pts and 31% for FG2.
Carmelo Lee was the leading player of Puerto Rico in big final collecting 21 points and 6 boards for 28 minutes. Carlos Arroyo also was pretty good add
Puerto Rico resisted a big preassure of the final and got easy victory over U.S. Virgin Islands 87-70.
It came as a big surprise especially after Puerto Ricans struggled in the semifinal game against Dominican Rep. securing just 2-point victory (76-74).
This time Jose Juan Barea (181-G-84, agency: KMG Sports Management, college: Northeastern) got some rest (15 points), while Puerto Rico was lead by Carmelo Lee (200-F-77, agency: Paris Global Sports, college: Long Beach St.
Puerto Rico resisted a big preassure of the final and got easy victory over U.S. Virgin Islands 87-70. It came as a big surprise especially after Puerto Ricans struggled in the semifinal game against Dominican Rep. securing just 2-point victory (76-74). This time Jose Juan Barea (181-G-84, agency: KMG Sports Management, college: Northeastern) got some rest (15 points), while Puerto Rico was lead by Carmelo Lee (200-F-77, agency: Paris Global Sports, college: Long Beach St.) (21 + 6reb). Six players scored double digits for the winners. Carlos Arroyo (188-G-79, agency: Interperformances, college: Florida Intern.) adedd another 15 and grabbed 6 rebounds, Angelo Reyes (205-F/C-81) ended with 12 and Filiberto Rivera (187-G-82, college: UTEP) and Luis Villafane (208-C/F-81, agency: Next Level, college: Niagara) had 11 points each. At Virgin Islands side Cuthbert Victor (196-G-83, college: Murray St.) tried his best with 24 points and 12 rebs. He got some help from Kitwana Rhymer (208-C-78, college: Massachusetts) (16) and Jason Edwin (196-G/F-81, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement, college: Kent St.) (15). Puerto Rico definitely deserve the title as (except semifinal game) they were the only undefeated team over the entire tournament.
SEMIFINALS
Puerto Rico - Dominican Republic 76-74
Puerto Rico had to work very hard in order to win against Dominican Republic in the semifinals of Centrobasket Championship 2008 in Mexico. Jose Juan Barea (181-G-84, agency: KMG Sports Management, college: Northeastern) once again led his team to victory giving a real basketball lesson to Dominicans.
Puerto Rico took control on its opponent at the early beginning.
SEMIFINALS
Puerto Rico - Dominican Republic 76-74 Puerto Rico had to work very hard in order to win against Dominican Republic in the semifinals of Centrobasket Championship 2008 in Mexico. Jose Juan Barea (181-G-84, agency: KMG Sports Management, college: Northeastern) once again led his team to victory giving a real basketball lesson to Dominicans.
Puerto Rico took control on its opponent at the early beginning. After ten minutes Puerto Ricans created 20-15 continuing in the same rhythm after that. Jose Juan Barea as well as Carlos Arroyo (188-G-79, agency: Interperformances, college: Florida Intern.) were unstoppable at the offensive end. It resulted with comfortable 44-30 at the half time. It is important to be mentioned that Jose Jan Barea netted 18 points in the first half. Dominicans woke up after the breather. Franklin Western (200-F-72, college: Providence) and Francisco Garcia (201-F-81, agency: Octagon, college: Louisville) shined leading their team to 19-23 in third stanza. When it was expected that Puerto Rico make final step and resolve question about the winner, Dominicans continued with pretty good performance. Unfortunately to them Franklin Western had a chance at the very end to tie the score and lead his team to extra time but his shot somehow went out of the rim.
Jose Juan Barea paced his team to the final of Centrobasket 2008 nailing 30 points including 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Carlos Arroyo also was good collecting 21 points and 6 boards while Angelo Reyes (205-F/C-81) followed him with 11 points and 13 boards. Franklin Western was the best player for the loosing side adding 25 points and 4 rebounds. Francisco Garcia had 15 points and 5 rebounds while Jack Michael Martinez (203-F/C-81, agency: Paris Global Sports) stopped on 12
Group A
Mexico - Dominican Republic 70-78
Dominican Republic grabbed victory in the last game of Group A securing a place for the semifinals of Centrobasket Championship 2008. It means that Dominicans and Mexicans as well as Virgin Islands have the same score, two wins and two defeats. USVI has the best digits in this circle while the hosts of the championship Mexico has the worst. Second place in Group A belongs to Dominicans and it will take on Puerto Rico in the semifinals.
Group A
Mexico - Dominican Republic 70-78 Dominican Republic grabbed victory in the last game of Group A securing a place for the semifinals of Centrobasket Championship 2008. It means that Dominicans and Mexicans as well as Virgin Islands have the same score, two wins and two defeats. USVI has the best digits in this circle while the hosts of the championship Mexico has the worst. Second place in Group A belongs to Dominicans and it will take on Puerto Rico in the semifinals. Mexico is transferred to Classification Round for 5th to 8th place and its first rival will be Costa Rica.
Dominicans took this one mostly owing to well played second and third frame. Mexico was better team at the very beginning having 19-16 after ten minutes but they slowed down after that moment. Al Horford (208-F/C-86, college: Florida) shined in Dominican Republic leading his team to 13-24 in the second stanza. It was 33-39 at the half time for the official visitors in this game. Nothing has changed after the breather as Dominican Republic was the team which controlled rhythm of the game. It stretched advantage to 12 points before the last frame. However, Mexicans didn't want to give up. With 33 seconds remaining in the game Mexicans came on 75-70. Al Horford immediately stepped up for his team scoring one free throw and later another basket for the final 70-78.
Virgin Islands - Mexico 71-75 The hosts of Centrobasket Championship 2008 Mexico celebrated against Virgins Islands in day 2 booking a spot for the semifinals. After great yesterday's victory against Dominican Republic, Virgin Islands also will have a nice chance to reach the semis. In the last game of Group A USVI will meet still winless El Salvador.
Virgin Islands showed slightly better performance in the first frame ending it 23-22. After that moment Ramses Benitez (210-C-79) and Raymond Castillo (196-G/F-82, college: UTPA) stepped up for their team. Mostly owing to them Mexico created magnificent 13-0 run grabbing 37-28 with 56 seconds to go in the first half. Both teams scored 4 points each until the end of it meaning that Mexico had comfortable 11-point lead after 20 minutes. At the one point of third quarter Mexicans touched plus 16 and it seemed that the game was already over. But Virgins Islands didn't give up and thanks to Cuthbert Victor (196-G-83, college: Murray St.) and Kevin Sheppard (182-G-79, agency: Paris Global Sports, college: Jacksonville) came closer on 58-53 before the crucial 10 minutes. VirginsIslands threatened until the end but after two free throws by Arim Solares Mexico set the margin on 3 points keeping it steady. After that moment both teams score couple of free throws until the very end.
Ramses Benitez once again shined for the winning side collecting 18 points and 5 rebounds.
![](http://www.eurobasket.com/team.asp?Cnt</div></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>
</td></td></table><img border="0" src="http://www.eurobasket.com/images/4height.gif" width="1" height="4"><br><img border="0" src="http://www.eurobasket.com/images/4height.gif" width="1" height="4"><div align="center">
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="99%" style="border:1px solid #666666" bgcolor="#F7F7F7">
<tr>
<td>
<table><tr><td valign="top"><div style="font-size:12px; font-weight:bold;"><table width="100%" bgcolor="#E3F7D7"><tr><td width="30" align="Left"><img src="http://www.latinbasket.com/images/sCENTB.gif" border="0" alt=" basketball"></td><td width="80%" align="Left" class="newstitle">Results and stats - Day 2</td><td width="15%" align="Right"></td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>
</td><td rowspan="2" align="center" valign="top">
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" align="right">
<a href="http://www.latinbasket.com/player.asp?Cntry=CENTB&PlayerID=40626"><img src="http://www.eurobasket.com/photos/Barea_JJ.jpg" alt="JJ Barea" border="0" width="55" /> </a>
<div style="text-align:center"><a class="playerPhotoLnk" href="http://www.latinbasket.com/player.asp?Cntry=CENTB&PlayerID=40626">JJ Barea</a></div>
</td>
<td valign="top" style="background-image:url(http://www.latinbasket.com/sysImg/playerPhoto/playerphoto_r2_c3.jpg); background-repeat:repeat-y"><img name="playerphoto_r1_c3" src="http://www.latinbasket.com/sysImg/playerPhoto/playerphoto_r1_c3.jpg" width="10" height="8" border="0" id="playerphoto_r1_c3" alt="" /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background-image:url(http://www.latinbasket.com/sysImg/playerPhoto/playerphoto_r2_c3.jpg); background-repeat:repeat-y"></td>
</tr>
</table>
<table width="65" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tr>
<td class="imgblock" width="8" align="left"><img src="http://www.latinbasket.com/sysImg/playerPhoto/playerphoto_r3_c1.jpg" alt="" name="playerphoto_r3_c1" width="8" height="8" border="0" id="playerphoto_r3_c1" /></td>
<td class="imgblock" width="47" style="background-image:url(http://www.latinbasket.com/sysImg/playerPhoto/playerphoto_r3_c2.jpg); background-repeat:repeat-x" valign="top"></td>
<td class="imgblock" width="10" align="right" valign="top"><img name="playerphoto_r3_c3" src="http://www.latinbasket.com/sysImg/playerPhoto/playerphoto_r3_c3.jpg" width="10" height="8" border="0" id="playerphoto_r3_c3" alt="" /></td>
</tr>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="100%" align="left">
<div style="PADDING-LEFT: 2px">
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="99%"><tr><td colspan="2"><div style="text-align:justify; padding-left:5px; font-size:9px"><i>by Eurobasket News - Aug 29, 2008</i></div></td></tr><tr><td valign="top"><div width="96%" style="border-bottom-width:2px; border-bottom-style:solid; border-bottom-color:#95DD64; margin-bottom:4px; padding-bottom:3px"><span class="header" style="font-size:10px; font-weight:bold;"> Group A
Virgin Islands - Mexico 71-75
The hosts of Centrobasket Championship 2008 Mexico celebrated against Virgins Islands in day 2 booking a spot for the semifinals. After great yesterday){kind=link}
![](http://www.latinbasket.com/player.asp?Cntry</div></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>
</td></td></table><img border="0" src="http://www.eurobasket.com/images/4height.gif" width="1" height="4"><br><img border="0" src="http://www.eurobasket.com/images/4height.gif" width="1" height="4"><div align="center">
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="99%" style="border:1px solid #666666" bgcolor="#F7F7F7">
<tr>
<td>
<table><tr><td valign="top"><div style="font-size:12px; font-weight:bold;"><table width="100%" bgcolor="#E3F7D7"><tr><td width="30" align="Left"><img src="http://www.latinbasket.com/images/sCENTB.gif" border="0" alt=" basketball"></td><td width="80%" align="Left" class="newstitle">Results and stats - Day 1</td><td width="15%" align="Right"></td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>
</td><td rowspan="2" align="center" valign="top">
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" align="right">
<a href="http://www.latinbasket.com/player.asp?Cntry=CENTB&PlayerID=27345"><img src="http://www.eurobasket.com/photos/Silvestre_Geoffrey.jpg" alt="Geoffrey Silvestre" border="0" width="55" /> </a>
<div style="text-align:center"><a class="playerPhotoLnk" href="http://www.latinbasket.com/player.asp?Cntry=CENTB&PlayerID=27345">Geoffrey<br>Silvestre<br></a></div>
</td>
<td valign="top" style="background-image:url(http://www.latinbasket.com/sysImg/playerPhoto/playerphoto_r2_c3.jpg); background-repeat:repeat-y"><img name="playerphoto_r1_c3" src="http://www.latinbasket.com/sysImg/playerPhoto/playerphoto_r1_c3.jpg" width="10" height="8" border="0" id="playerphoto_r1_c3" alt="" /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background-image:url(http://www.latinbasket.com/sysImg/playerPhoto/playerphoto_r2_c3.jpg); background-repeat:repeat-y"></td>
</tr>
</table>
<table width="65" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tr>
<td class="imgblock" width="8" align="left"><img src="http://www.latinbasket.com/sysImg/playerPhoto/playerphoto_r3_c1.jpg" alt="" name="playerphoto_r3_c1" width="8" height="8" border="0" id="playerphoto_r3_c1" /></td>
<td class="imgblock" width="47" style="background-image:url(http://www.latinbasket.com/sysImg/playerPhoto/playerphoto_r3_c2.jpg); background-repeat:repeat-x" valign="top"></td>
<td class="imgblock" width="10" align="right" valign="top"><img name="playerphoto_r3_c3" src="http://www.latinbasket.com/sysImg/playerPhoto/playerphoto_r3_c3.jpg" width="10" height="8" border="0" id="playerphoto_r3_c3" alt="" /></td>
</tr>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="100%" align="left">
<div style="PADDING-LEFT: 2px">
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="99%"><tr><td colspan="2"><div style="text-align:justify; padding-left:5px; font-size:9px"><i>by Eurobasket News - Aug 28, 2008</i></div></td></tr><tr><td valign="top"><div width="96%" style="border-bottom-width:2px; border-bottom-style:solid; border-bottom-color:#95DD64; margin-bottom:4px; padding-bottom:3px"><span class="header" style="font-size:10px; font-weight:bold;"> Group A
Virgin Islands - Dominican Republic 83-74
It was very exciting game between Virgin Islands and Dominican Republic at the opening day of Centrobasket Championship 2008. Dominicans came to Mexico with biggest ambitions but they couldn){kind=link}