POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Hector Hernandez
Mexico - Costa Rica 82:45
Mexico clinched the opening win at the COCABA Championsip. They knocked down Costa Rica in San Salvador. Hector Hernandez (206-F-85, college: Fresno St.) posted 17 points and 9 rebounds to lead Mexico.
Mexico got to a storming start. They raced to a 24:5 lead after ten minutes of action. Mexico maintained the lead throughout the second period. They accumulated a 42:20 halftime advantage. Mexico kept Costa Rica at distance throughout the third term. They arrived at the final intermission up by 17 points 70:53. Mexico unloaded 22 points in the fourth frame and sealed the winning outcome. Orlando Mendez-Valdez (185-G-86, college: W.Kentucky) finished with 16 points, while Jesus Gonzalez (195-F-86) and Victor Mariscal (198-F-72) added 11 points each for Mexico. Kay Martinez answered with 11 points for Costa Rica. Isaac Conejo (182-G-94) and Hernold Gardener (205-C-82, college: Lon Morris JC) chipped in 8 points each in the loss.
Mexico: Hector Hernandez 17, Orlando Mendez-Valdez 16, Jesus Gonzalez 11, Victor Mariscal 11
Costa Rica: Isaac Conejo 8, Hernold Gardener 8
El Salvador - Honduras 67:61
El Salvador clinched the first win at the COCABA Championship: They held off Honduras for 1-0 record. The hosts were paced by 22 points from Oscar Rivera (190-F-80).
El Salvador eked out an 18:14 lead after ten minutes of action. Honduras erased the deficit in the second frame. The visitors snatched a 33:32 halftime lead. El Salvador regained the lead in the third term. The hosts held Honduras to 13 points in the period and posted a 48:46 lead heading into the fourth quarter. El Salvador dropped 19 points in the fourth frame and secured the winning outcome at the end. Salvador Bandek (181-G-78) and Ronnie Aguilar (216-C-87, college: Colorado St.) finished with 10 points each for the winners. Marco Banegas-Flores (185-PG-92) answered with 20 points for Honduras. Mario Johann Amador (185-G-85) chipped in 13 points in the defeat.
El Salvador: Oscar Rivera 22, Salvador Bandek 10, Ronnie Aguilar 10+16 boards
Honduras: Marco Banegas-Flores 20, Mario Johann Amador 13
