POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Edward Santana
SEMIFINALS
Panama - Cuba 64-59
Panama extended their unbeaten run in Veracruz. They celebrated the fourth consecutive victory edging Cuba in the semifinal clash. Levour Warren (196-SF-81, college: S.Carolina) provided 13 points and 8 rebounds to lead the winners. Cuba jumped to an early lead. They accounted for a 14:7 lead after ten minutes. But Panama cut the distance at 2-point mark at the big break 23:25. The teams traded baskets throughout the third term. Cuba were up by two heading into the fourth period. However Panama sank 24 points in the final quarter and escaped with a narrow win at the end. Edward Jones (201-F-86, college: N.Carolina A&T) netted 12 points, while Josimar Ayarza (205-F-87, college: S.Mississippi) contributed 9 points for Panama. Jasiel Rivero (204-C) responded with 15 points for Cuba. Javier Justiz (205-C-92) tossed in 12 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the loss.
Puerto Rico - Dominican Republic 71-72
Dominican Republic nipped Puerto Rico in the semifinal battle at the 2014 Central American and the Caribbean Games in Mexico. Edward Santana (203-F-80) tallied 18 points and 13 boards to pace the winners. Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico exchanged baskets throughout the opening frame. The scoreboard read 13:13 after ten minutes. Puerto Rico eked out a 27:26 halftime advantage. But Dominican Republic shifted the gear in the third term. They poured in 26 points to take a 3-point lead into the fourth quarter. Puerto Rico sank 22 points in the final term but stopped just a whisker away from the victory. Victor Liz and Gerardo Suero delivered 16 points each for the winners. Larry Ayuso (190-SG-77, agency: Paris Global Sports, college: USC) responded with 13 points for Puerto Rico. Christian Dalmau (194-G-77, agency: Paris Global Sports, college: Daytona Beach CC), Carlos Rivera (187-PG-83, agency: Paris Global Sports, college: Hofstra) and Angel Alamo banked in 9 points each in the defeat.
