POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Nathan Peavy
GROUP A
Mexico - Puerto Rico 62-77
Puerto Rico opened the CAC Games in Mayaguez with comfortable 62-77 win against Mexico. These two teams are together with Jamaica placed to Preliminary Group A. Nathan Peavy 
(203-F-85, agency: Limelight Hoops, college: Miami (OH)) top-scored for the winners in this game with 18 points. Carmelo Lee (201-F-77, agency: Paris Global Sports, college: Long Beach St.) had 17, while Angel Vasallo (196-G/F-86, college: Virginia Tech) helped with 12 points. In the loosing squad, Victor Mariscal (198-F-72) shined with 17 points and 8 boards. Jovan Harris (191-G/F-81, college: USF) and Hector Hernandez (206-F-85, college: Fresno St.) (11 rebs) delivered 12 and 8 points respectively.
Puerto Rico had a great start. They opened this meeting with quick 4-9 lead and later jumped to 8-15. They continued in the same rhythm for the next ten minutes and Mexico was already in trouble. After two periods of play, the hosts were 22-37 up and were looking comfortable. Mexico was not able to resists and they faced with 15-26 in Q3. Question about the winner was resolved and last ten minutes were just the formality. They belonged to Mexico 25-14 for the final 62-77 victory by the home side.
In Day Two, Puerto Rico will meet Jamaica. Mexico will have a day-off.
Mexico: Victor Mariscal 17+8 boards, Jovan Harris 12, Hector Hernandez 8+11 boards
Puerto Rico: Nathan Peavy 18, Carmelo Lee 17, Angel Vasallo 12
GROUP B
Dominican Republic - British Virgin Islands 77-54
Dominican Republic had a joyful Day One in Mayaguez. They blasted British Virgins Islands for 1-0 record in Preliminary Group B. Beside the above mentioned teams, participants of the same pool are also Panama and U.S. Virgins Islands. Elpidio Fortuna (186-G-85) paced Dominican Republic to victory in this game with 15 points and 5 rebounds. Jack Michael Martinez (203-F/C-81, agency: Paris Global Sports) was the second scorer for Dominicans with 14 pts and he pulled down 9 rebounds beside that. Cristian Arias (191-G-81) helped with 13 points. In IVB, Kleon Penn (211-C-86, agency: KMG Sports Management, college: McNeese St.) had double-double of 12 points and 14 rebs. Kennedy Bass (196-F, college: Anderson) delivered 11 pts.
Dominican Republic destroyed IVB in the first quarter. After 8-6 in the first five minutes, Dominicans totally took control on their rivals. Elpidio Fortuna and his teammates drained 21 points for rest of the opening period, while IVB was stopped to 4. Dominicans were great in the second frame as well and they limited IVB to just 5 pts for ten minutes. On the other side, they nailed 17 for huge 31-point lead at the halftime. IVB improved after the breather, but it was already too late for them. They finished Q3 12-23 and Dominicans replied with 19-16 in the last ten minutes for the final 77-54 victory.
Dominican Republic: Elpidio Fortuna 15+5 boards, Jack Michael Martinez 14+9 boards, Cristian Arias 13
British Virgins Islands: Kleon Penn 12+14 boards, Kennedy Bass 11
