POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Christopher Flores
Group A
Honduras - Guatemala 95-56
Honduras clinched the third position in Group A. They knocked down Guatemala in the final game of the preliminary round. Christopher Flores (188-G-90, college: NJIT, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement) tossed in 30 points to pace the winners. Pedro Salazar (205-C-72, agency: Globo Sport) added 13 points in the victory. Honduras grabbed a 25:13 lead after the opening frame. Guatemala pulled within 5 points at halftime. But Honduras triggered a strong 56:22 second half rally to ice the victory. Miguel Gonzalez (189-G/F-90) responded with 17 points and 11 rebounds for Guatemala.
Costa Rica - Mexico 63-61
Costa Rica held off Mexico to finish the preliminary round undefeated. Kay Martinez (198-G-84, college: Jackson St.) posted 29 points to pace the hosts to the third straight victory in Group A. Costa Rica posted a 31:23 halftime lead. They boosted the margin at 9-point mark at the final intermission. Mexico tried to bounce back with a strong rally in the fourth period but Costa Rica hung on to snatch the victory. Carlos Quesada (198-C-85) delivered 16 points for the winners. Fernando Benitez (204-F/C-89) responded with 19 points for Mexico.
Group B
El Salvador - Panama 73-76
Panama held off El Salvador for the top position in Group B. Trevor Gaskins (188-G-89, college: Louisiana Tech, agency: Lat Am Basketball) scored 22 points to lead the winners. Panama built a 30:27 halftime lead. They extended the gap at 7-point mark heading into the fourth frame. El Salvador narrowed the deficit in the fourth frame but could not avoid the defeat. Josimar Ayarza (205-F-87, college: S.Mississippi, agency: Agency) provided 21 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Ronnie Aguilar (216-C-87, college: CS Dominguez H., agency: Agency) responded with 20 points for El Salvador.
