POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Hector Hernandez
Costa Rica - Honduras 62:59
Costa Rica clinched the third position at the COCABA Championship. They defeated Honduras on the final day of the tournament in San Salvador. Kay Martinez (198-G-84, college: Jackson St.) stepped up with 14 points and 7 rebounds to lead Costa Rica.
Costa Rica jumped to an 18:11 lead after ten minutes. They stretched the gap in the second frame. Costa Rica enjoyed a comfortable 39:23 halftime lead. But Honduras turned things around in the third period. They ignited a 21:9 run to narrow the deficit. Honduras stayed within striking distance throughout the fourth term but Costa Rica withstood the challenge and clinched the victory at the end. Isaac Conejo (182-G-94) posted 9 points, while Jaffry Spencer (190-F-80) produced 8 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Marco Banegas-Flores (185-PG-92) answered with 15 points for Honduras. Jerry Echenique (201-C-79, college: High Point) had 14 points in the loss.
Costa Rica: Kay Martinez 14, Isaac Conejo 9, Jaffry Spencer 8+11 boards, Dave Milliner (197-C-81) 8
Honduras: Marco Banegas-Flores 15, Jerry Echenique 14
Mexico - El Salvador 60:47
Mexico clinched the third win in as many games played and celebrated the title at the COCABA Championship in San Salvador. They defeated hosting El Salvador on the final day of the tournament. Orlando Mendez-Valdez (185-G-86, college: W.Kentucky) stepped up with 18 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists to pace Mexico. El Salvador finished in the second position losing just one game.
Mexico limited their opponents to just 10 points in the first frame and gained a 5-point lead at the first break. They stretched the gap in the second period. Mexico arrived at the interval up by 10 points 31:21. They kept El Salvador at bay throughout the third term. Mexico entered the fourth quarter up by 12 points 44:32. El Salvador could not threaten the margin in the fourth period as Mexico coasted to the victory. Hector Hernandez (206-F-85, college: Fresno St.) posted 9 points and 15 boards, while Pedro Meza Rogel (186-G-85, college: Arizona W. CC) and Francisco Cruz (190-G-89, college: Wyoming) contributed 7 points each for the winners. James James Valladares (205-F/C-89, college: New Hampshire) responded with 20 points and 11 rebounds for El Salvador. Oscar Rivera (190-F-80) netted 10 points in the loss.
Mexico: Orlando Mendez-Valdez 18, Hector Hernandez 9+15 boards, Pedro Meza Rogel 7, Francisco Cruz 7
El Salvador: James Valladares 20+11 boards, Oscar Rivera 10
