POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Jack Michael Martinez
Group F
Dominican Republic - Panama 80-79
Thriller win for Dominicans, who ended Preliminary Round in Mayaguez with the perfect 3-0 record. Of course, they advanced to Semifinals as No.1 of Group F. There, Dominicans will meet Mexico. Panama dropped to third place in this pool (1-2) and failed to reach the next stage. Jack Michael Martinez (203-F/C-81, agency: Paris Global Sports) once again was a key player in victory as he collected 31 points and 10 rebounds. Martinez was the MVP of this meeting with valuation 29. Carlos Paniagua (201-F/C-76, college: Tenn Temple) (10 rebs) and Kelvin Pena (193-G-80, college: Southeastern CC) helped with 15 points each. In the loosing squad, Jaime Lloreda 
(201-F/C-80, college: LSU) shined with 24 points and 17 rebounds. Leonardo Pomare (203-F-86, college: San Diego) added 20 pts and 11 rebs. Dominicans took control on Panama from the early beginning. They made 15-9 and later 25-15 lead in Q1. Panama replied with 15-19 in the second frame cutting the margin to 7 points at the HT. Both teams exploded offensively in Q3. Jack Michael Martinez was unstoppable and mostly owing to him Dominicans ended third frame with 30-26. They held double-digit lead before that last quarter, but than Panamanians totally cook control on Dominicans. Jaime Lloreda was on fire bringing his team close to victory, but at the end Dominicans were more focused and grabbed tiny 80-79 win. Panama will continue in Classification Round for 5th to 7th place.
British Virgin Islands - U.S. Virgin Islands 63-82
U.S. Virgin Islands closed the Preliminary Round in Mayaguez with victory. They outplayed British Virgin Islands keeping the second place in Group F with 2-1 record. ISV advanced to Semifinals, where they will take on Puerto Rico. On the other side, IVB ended this stage with poor 0-3 and will continue in Classification Games. Walter Hodge (183-G-86, college: Florida) (5 rebs), Jason Edwin (197-G/F-81, college: Kent St.) and Devon Peltier (180-G-87) netted 20 points each for the winners. ISV got 17 points and 6 rebounds from Kennedy Bass (196-F-81, college: Anderson). Kleon Penn (211-C-86, agency: KMG Sports Management, college: McNeese St.) (9 rebs) and Chaurbin Smith (178-G-80, college: Sauk Valley CC) posted 13 and 12 points respectively. U.S. Virgin Islands opened the game in style. Walter Hodge and his teammates made quick 6-16 run and were looking great. IVB slightly improved after that, but still ISV had nice 15-23 lead after opening ten minutes. ISV continued with another great period. They finished Q2 with excellent 16-26 for 18-point lead at the halftime. IVB was in trouble and they couldn't do anything about that. ISV slowed down in the second half, but IVB was not able to treat. Both Semifinals will be played on Thursday. IVB will meet Jamaica at the same day (Places 5-7).
