4
Karim Malpica (190-G-78) of Soles de Mexicali
5
Jesus Lopez (205-F-83) of Caballeros de Culiacan
6
Anthony Pedroza (191-G-79) of Rayos de Hermosillo 7
Horacio Llamas (212-C-73) of Trigueros de Ciudad Obregon
8
Arim Abdul Solares (202-F/C-83) of Santos Reales de San
Luis Potosi
9
Romel Beck (203-G/F-82) of Dakota Wizards (USA)
10
Miguel Ayala (198-F/G-82) of Coras de Nayarit 11
Omar Quintero (183-G-81) of Gigantes de Guayana (VEN)
13
Enrique Zuniga (193-G-76) of Frayles de Guasave
15
Hugo Carrillo (205-C/F-83) of Trigueros de Ciudad
Obregon
Latinbasket.com All-COCABA Championships 2009
Awards -
Aug 18, 2009
All-COCABA 1st Team 2009
Beck
Munoz
Llamas
Quintero
Lloreda
Notice: The players from countries (Belize and Honduras), which
participation was put on hold based on appeal (related to questionable
players nationalities) were not included in the awards.
Real Mess finally ended - Aug.
15, 2009 The
most messy event you could find probably ever.
It's a strange evenement: first teams were disqualified, then just to
appear in the final stage and ...play even in the final.
Just try to follow of what happened the last days in Cancun.
Maybe it's stillpost-N2H2 virus effect which made everyone scared to
make any decision. Or maybe sunny Caribbean beaches in Yucatan
peninsula, which prevented FIBA employees from making any proper
decision.
The fact is that we do not remember to have bigger mess in the history
of international basketball events. During the Cold War it was at least
everything clear: these teams participate and these do not participate
in the tournament. But here at COCABA you ...never know.
Were supposed to be 8 teams at the tournament? Yes. No more the case as
Belize and Honduras were disqualified.
Then the same two teams ...still played the 'exhibition' games along
with 'official' games of the other teams. Cool, they already paid for
their tickets, yes? So why not to play anyway?
Then we had semifinals announced - great, at least the tournament is
almost over. But whoever was hoping to see actually these semifinal
games was ...wrong again. Suddenly the two disqualified teams jumped in
the final day and one of them did it directly to the final (after
winning another 'unofficial' semifinal game.
I feel only sorry for poor Panama, which was somehow cheated out of the
second place, which would guarantee them trip to Central American
tournament.
Their federation did great job being the second best team at the
tournament and in consequence ending the event ...on the third position.
So they did not qualify to Centrobasket and new 'basketball powerhouse'
Belize will represent COCABA at that tournament. Maybe Panama should
also consider getting few high level U.S. players. No one cares anyway
of checking any passports any more, so why not join the club?
Not that I have anything against Belize federation. Notice that Belize
did not break any rules. According to Belize law, someone who can prove
that his parents are from Belize, receives automatically Belizean
citizenship. So here everything was OK and players like
Marlon Garnett (188-G-75, college:
Santa Clara),
Leon Watson (203-F/C-77, college:
UTSA),
Charlie Burgess,
Gene Myvett (193-G-82, college:
Cal.St.-Los Angeles),
Dakin Braddick (213-C-84, college:
Benedict) and
Keenan Jourdon (202-F-74, agency:
Paris Global Sports, college:
Boston Coll.) (played also in ...Puerto Rican NT) could prove their
Belizean roots ...or not.
Please notice another similar case, which just happened at
African Championships, which took place in Libya. The host team
did not really announce their roster for the tournament and no media
could find the names of the players till the event started. They did it
just a day before the tournament. And here a nice surprise. There were
three new players in a team, who played way better than rest of the team
and all three spoke ...fluent English. They were
Raed Elhamali (204-F/C-79, agency:
Edge Sports, college:
San Diego St.) (AKA: Randy Holcomb, drafted by San Antonio Spurs in
2002),
Hesham Salem (206-F/C-81, agency:
Octagon, college:
Fresno St.) (AKA Hiram Fuller, drafted by Yakima Sun Kings (CBA) in
2003) and
Alfath Belgasem (197-F/G-80, college:
St.John's) (AKA: Alpha Bangura, drafted by Fayetteville Patriots
(NBDL) in 2002). Luckily Libyan head coach Kevin Nickelberry could still
keep his original name and did not have to be suddenly naturalized like
his players. Well, we have to admit that it was mentioned before in
media that they 'work' with Libyan national team helping them prepare
for African Championships. But do not you think it's a very significant
difference between 'working' with a team and 'playing' for a team?
Suddenly Libyan team jumped from 3rd league of African countries to top
elite by ...giving citizenship to three experienced Americans. What
could we do? The tournament takes place in Libya, so should we ban the
host team from participating in the tournament? Of course not. So poor
Morocco and Egypt, which probably never in history lost a single game
against Libya, and now they were beaten for the very first time by
another 'basketball powerhouse', this time in north Africa. It only
confirms that this year is very 'special' and it seems there something
has to be done to control these events more closely to avoid similar
cases. It's simply too many of them at the same time. They did happen in
the past. But there were single cases and not even every year. But it
never happened we had such many NTs trying to 'cheat' somehow adding
extra players with questionable papers to their rosters, all of them at
the same time.
Mexico won the 2009 COCABA Championship - Aug.
15, 2009 Mexico won the 2009 COCABA Championship after
beating Belize 106-103 in the Gold medal game played at Poliforum Benito
Jurez.
A flagrant foul by
Keenan Jourdon (202-F-74, agency:
Paris Global Sports, college:
Boston Coll.) against
Horacio Llamas (212-C-73) sent him to the line to break the 103-103
tie after two free throws with 27 seconds left. Then
Gustavo Ayon (209-F/C-85, college:
San Jose St.) went to the line in the next play to secure a three point
lead.
The Mexicans finished the first quarter down 31-28 but reacted in the
second to finish up 54-45.
Romel Beck (203-G/F-82, agency:
Interperformances, college:
UNLV)
had 15 points and
Noe Alonzo (200-F-83, college:
Grand Canyon) 11 at the half.
Belize had a great third period and took the lead 78-77 but in the final
quarter the Mexicans made another run with better execution and
dominance in the paint.
In the win
Romel Beck had 26 points and
Noe Alonzo 21. In the loss
Marlon Garnett (188-G-75, college:
Santa Clara) netted 43 points.
Panama beat Costa Rica 86-69 to finish third in the tournament. Joel
Muoz had 24 points and Leo Pomare 18 for the winners.
After being down 36-31 at half, Panama reacted led by Muoz and
Danilo Pinnock (196-G-83, agency:
SportsTalent, college:
George Washington) to get the win. The second haalf was for Panama
55-33. Daniel Simmons (193-F/C-80) led Costa Rica with 21 points while
Clifford Smith (193-G-82, college:
Barry) had 18.
Honduras beat El Salvador 65-58 and Guatemala won over Nicaragua 91-80
in the Classification Round.
Final Positions:
1. Mexico*
2. Belize**
3. Panama
4. Costa Rica
5. Guatemala
6. Nicaragua
7. Honduras
8. El Salvador
* Qualified for the 2010 Centrobasket Tournament.
** Classification subject to result of appeal about player eligibility.
Centrobasket 2010:
Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands (Gold and Silver from last
Centrobasket).
Jamaica, British Virgin Islands and Cuba (CBC).
Mxico and Belize (COCABA).
1 Host for 2010 Centrobasket Tournament.
Courtesy of FIBA Americas
Team Honduras defeated three times in COCABA
tournment - Aug. 14, 2009 After falling to home team Mexico (43-145...) and
to El Salvador, Team Honduras felt to Costa Rica 63-70 in the third game
of 'Group A' of the COCABA Champioship 2009. The Honduras games,
however, were considered by FIBA America as 'exhibition games' during
this competition, due to unregular registraation of some players.
According with non official souces, the roster of Team Honduras for this
edition of COCABA was as follows: Jose Luis Lopez Alvin Cacho (-87) Octavio Matamoros (190-G/F-86) Mario Amador Omar Cacho (-F/C-85) Jerry Echenique (201-C-79, college:
High Point) Cesar Stling (198-F-74) Erlin Marlin Gonzalez Pedro Salazar (204-C-72) Michael Martinez (186-G-88) Joseph Flower (-75) Selvin Connor (200-F-74)
Belize beats Costa Rica and heads to COCABA
finals - Aug. 14, 2009 (By Channel 5 News)
Yesterday it was Panama, today in semifinal play Team Belize won
comfortably over Costa Rica by 24 points on the way to proving that
games should be settled on the court. Final score: Belize - Costa Rica
99-75.
So whats next for our Dream Team? Team Mexico in the finals. Yesterday
Mexico demolished Costa Rica by one score of a 101-66.
If you care to do some basketball analysis and do the math Mexico won by
35 points, while Belize won by only 24 points. What that means in the
scheme of things as Belize draws one step closer to gold is anybodys
guess. Reports out of Cancun earlier today suggested that COCABA
officials were agitating that Costa Rica face Panama instead of Team
Belize. Fortunately for Belize, Panama took a stand and COCABA officials
were forced to continue with the tournament as scheduled. Reports are
that if Belize defeats Mexico tomorrow or not, our medal standing will
hinge on the pending appeal. If Belize wins the appeal, we are
guaranteed a spot in next years Centro Basket Tournament on the way to
the 2012 London Olympics. We encourage you to tune once again to Channel
Fives Morning Show Open Your Eyes and News Five for continued coverage
of the COCABA Championship for Men from Cancun.
Summary of Day 2 in Mexico - Aug. 13, 2009
Group A
El Salvador - Mexico
67-121
It was the first appearance for Mexico and the first win. The hosts of
COCABA Championship totally destroyed El Salvador 121-67 and they will
meet Costa Rica in the next match. In case of win Mexico will advance to
Semifinals as No.1 of Group A. El Salvador already fell to 0-2 and no
chance to advance.
Romel Beck (203-G/F-82, agency:
Interperformances, college:
UNLV)
led the winners with 23 points.
Arim Abdul Solares (202-F/C-83) had 17 and
Omar Quintero (183-G-81, college:
S.Nazarene) netted one point less.
James Valladares (203-C-89) responded with 25 points and 6 rebounds
in loss.
Jorge Loucel (186-F-90) was the last one with double-digits in
scoring, 10 pts.
Group B
Nicaragua - Panama
65-96
Panama grabbed the second win on COCABA Championship in Mexico. It means
that Panamanians already secured position No.1 in Group B and they will
have a day off before the Semifinals. On the other side, it was the
first appearance for Nicaragua on this event. Day 3 will be the crucial
one for them as they will meet Guatemala. The winner of that match will
advance to Semifinals.
Danilo Pinnock (196-G-83, agency:
SportsTalent, college:
George Washington) once again shined in victory collecting 19 points
and 8 rebounds.
Jose Lloreda (201-F-80, college:
LSU)
and
Ernesto Oglivie (199-F-88) added 12 points each. In the loosing
squad, Noel Antonio Makence drained 24 points.
Troy Watson (197-F/C-82) was behind him with 13 pts.
FIBA rejection of national team forces PM
involvement - Aug. 13, 2009 (By Channel 5 Belize)
The game between Belize and Panama is over, but the tough battle is
still looming ahead and its not even with the Mexican team either. It is
the International Basketball Federations vehemence for claiming that
most of the players who were not born in Belize were naturalized
citizens, and only one of which would be able to play per game according
to FIBA rules. But the players arent naturalized so that didnt work. And
on last nights newscast, we reported on the new age rule that FIBA threw
at the team. The fans and supporters cried foul and the prime minister
via phone today confirmed that FIBAs new rule is apparently not even in
the rule book.
Via Phone: Prime Minister Dean Barrow Even a knowledge of the rules cant help you if it turns out that
governing bodies will do a number in the way it appears the FIBA body
has done a number. I am saying that when I saw the rules afterwards, the
rules dont say what the general secretary told me so it seems that were
so much at the mercy of the whims of these international sporting bodies
that its a great pity. I didnt have a copy of the rules with me at the
time and so when the Secretary General said the rules said A and the
rules said B I was in no position to argue. After I had completed the
call, Mr. Ellis and Mr. Murillo had arrived and they brought me a copy
of the rules. In a sense it was a pity I wasnt able to speak from
knowledge of the rules when I was dialoguing with Mister Baumann. In any
event I dont know that it would have made any difference just to put me
in a stronger position to argue the case from a position of authority.
Mr. Baumann is saying that it has nothing to do with whether these
Belizean players are naturalized Belizeans or Belizeans by descent. They
accept fully that these players are Belizeans by descent but hes saying
that according to the rules if you are entitled to nationality by
descent and you dont take it up before youre sixteen then thats a
problem in terms of youre playing for, in this case, the Belizean
National Team. When I looked at the rules afterwards, the rules say no
such thing. In any case we went back and forth. And at the end he said
it was not his personal decision. The secretariat or the governing body
had met and discussed this issue and the decision was what it was. I
asked himI indicated that we would be seeking to protest and to appeal
and I asked him to indicate to the governing body that we really needed
for them to keep the matter under review and basically thats how the
conversation ended.
The Prime Minister said that the Ministry of Finance is taking up the
cost of the appeal and he will do whatever he can to see the issue
resolved.
Belize wins third COCABA game and beats
Panama - Aug. 13, 2009 (ByChannel 5 Belize)
Belize ninety-two, Panama eighty-eight and with that score Belizes
unblemished record on the court continued in the COCABA Championship for
men. Although Team Belize is not ranked among the top fifty, our dream
team defeated Panama despite its ranking as twenty-ninth on the world
basketball charts. Team Belize proved too much for Team Panama. Despite
rumours of a no show by Team Panama for todays match, the game was off
to an interesting start and in the final quarter the score remained
close but in the end Belize secured its third win.
Team Belize is hoping to guarantee a spot in next years Centro Basket
Tournament on the way to the 2012 London Olympics. But that might just
be forlorn hope for Belize as FIBAs position is still uncertain due to
the Belize team fielding five players deemed ineligible. According to
information received from our team in Cancun, Belize is merely playing
as a visitor and not a competitor. News Fives correspondent, Ava Lovell,
spoke with President of the Belize Basketball Federation, Paul Thompson,
who says that a formal appeal has been sent out to FIBA Switzerland
about this development. Thompson says that a response must be given
before the semi-finals of the tournament scheduled for tomorrow,
Thursday.
Paul Thompson, President, Belize Basketball Federation We received a letter yesterday indicating that the games are
unofficial and that they are having us play but it is not official. So
that is the status of what they are saying.
Ava Lovell So hence the reason for the appeal?
Paul Thompson Exactly, so we are appeal based on that. An appeal has been formally
sent to FIBA offices in Switzerland along with payment of a fee for an
appeal and we have received acknowledgement of receipt of this appeal
from FIBA Secretary General, Mr. Baumann.
Ava Lovell Is there any indication as to how long before you get a response?
Paul Thompson No, we havent gotten any word of how long a response will be, but we
indicated in our mail that it is urgent and that we are about to play
our third game of the first round and that we are looking forward to
moving on to the next round.
Ava Lovell Okay, so if a response is not received prior to the semifinals round
what would that mean for Belize?
Paul Thompson Right now the status is that the games are unofficial and we want to
look at it positively and we believe that we will get a response before
game time tomorrow. We will continue on course.
We will keep our ears to the ground in Cancun and make an announcement
as soon as Team Belizes status is finalized before semi-final play. Tune
into Channel Fives Morning Show Open Your Eyes and News Five for
continued coverage of the COCABA Championship for Men from Cancun.
Team Belize goes on in winning, in spite of
disqualification - Aug. 12, 2009 (Courtesy of Channel 5 Belize) After
having destroyed Team Nicaragua 97-67 in Day 1, the Belizean National
Basketball Team demolished Guatemala 101-64 in Day 2 of COCABA
Championship, but these two 30-plus wins will not be so useful. In fact,
FIBA America officials disqualified Team Belize and removed it from the
FIBA offiicial Cocaba website after finding that almost half of the
players in roster were not eligible to play. Answered about the FIBA
decision, Enrique Basulto, President of COCABA, stated: 'The
situation with Belize is that they turned in documents to FIBA America
that had six players that needed to be revised by FIBA International.
Based on this information, it was not clear whether they are players
from Belize, by birth specifically. FIBA has a rule regarding
nationalization, which states that each country can select one player
with a questionable nationality status and that is what we told the
Belizean team. There are no sanctions that will be put in place against
Belize. This is just a matter of rules and procedures. Teams that play
with players that FIBA has not approved, will play as part of
invitational matches. They will not count officially for the tournament.
We need to review the case of Belize. The Federation needs to pay close
attention to what has happened and work closely with the Central
American organization so we could address these problems regarding
documentation and the lack of organization by the Federation.' Basulto
also said that Team Honduras were disqualified along the same lines as
Team Belize and its games too will be considered as 'exhibition games'
during this competition.
Summary of Day 1 in Mexico - Aug.
11, 2009 COCABA Championship started yesterday in Quintana
Roo, Mexico. Costa Rico and Panama opened the event with victories
jumping to 1-0 record in their Groups.
Costa Rica outsmarted El Salvador 77-72 mostly owing to nice played
third quarter. The teams were tied after 20 minutes (34-34), but Costa
Ricans grabbed lead after the breather and never looked back. They
drained 24 points in third period, limiting their rivals on 17. In the
last ten minutes Costa Rica was strong enough to keep its lead. Except
of these two teams, participant of Group A is also the host - Mexico.
The Mexicans will meet El Salvador tomorrow.
In the second game of Day 1 Panama blasted Guatemala 108-75. Danilo
Pinnock demonstrated magnificent performance for the winners scoring 35
points.
Jaime Lloreda (201-F-80, college:
LSU)
followed him with 11. Panama made 22-20 lead in the first quarter and
they extended it to plus 14 until the half time. That was the end for
Guatemalans as they never seriously threatened later. Beside these two
teams, there is another one in Group B - Nicaragua. Tomorrow in its
first performance Nicaragua will take on Panama.
Team Guatemala falls to Panama - Aug. 11, 2009 The opening game of the COCABA 2009 was unlucky
for Team Guatemala, largely defeated by Panama, 75-108.
Danilo Pinnock (196-G-83, agency:
SportsTalent, college:
George Washington) was unstoppable for the Guatemalans, and scored
35 point at the winning side. With 18 points,
Ricardo Amaya (191-G-84, agency:
Tank Sports) was the ast to surrender.
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