POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Puerto Rico U17 - Bahamas U17 116:84
Puerto Rico U17 national team qualified for the Fiba Americas U18 Championship held next year. They already ensured one of two top spots at the U17 Centrobasket tournament in Humacao.
Puerto Rico dominate the scene at the tournament overwhelming each of their opponents with 30+ advantage. Bahamas were not exception to the rule as Puerto Rico cruised past them to extend their winning streak to 3 games. Puerto Rico had a stunning start to this one as they rolled to a 36:10 advantage after the first frame. Bahamas then became the first team at the tournament to win a single quarter against the home side 29:24. But it was the only success for Bahamian players. Puerto Rico proved the difference in the second half and sealed the victory at the end.
Puerto Rico had 7 players to score in double figures. Isaac Carriyn and Jose Rodriguez provided 18 points apiece for hosts. Steven Bonefont had 14 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds for the winners. Raymond Higgs (-91) responded with game-high 24 points for Bahamas. Donathen Moss (-91) added 20 points and 13 rebounds in defeat.
Puerto Rico U17: Isaac Carriyn 18, Jose Rodriguez 18, Steven Bonefont 14
Bahamas U17: Raymond Higgs 24, Donathen Moss 20+13 boards
Dominican Republic U17 - Mexico U17 82:79
Dominican Republic ensured their second winning result at the U17 Centrobasket tournament in Puerto Rico. They rallied past previously undefeated Mexico to draw them in the ladder.
Mexico were more impressive at the start of this one as they established a 19:12 lead after the first frame. Dominican Republic though cut the deficit in the second quarter and stayed at a 31:36 distance from their opponents. The gap got narrowed in the third frame when Dominican Republic players managed to outplay 3 more points and entered the final stanza trailing by 2 points 58:60. Mexico seemed to run out of steam in the dying stages of the game and could not maintain Dominican fast breaks. Dominican Republic team sealed a 24:19 fourth frame and celebrated another win at the tournament.
Yohansi Jimenez led Dominican Republic team with 23 points. Kelvin Valdez (-91) added 16 points for the winners. Juan Pablo Casillas provided 25 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks for Mexico. Daniel Tames had 15 points in defeat.
Mexico U17: Juan Pablo Casillas 25, Daniel Tames 15
Dominican Republic U17: Yohansi Jimenez 23, Kelvin Valdez 16
Puerto Rico U17 - Mexico U17 126:73
Mexican team suffered another massive blow as they were crashed by the hosting Puerto Rico yesterday. Mexico simply were not able to cope with an impressive Puerto Rican offense that overwhelm virtually every other opponent at this tournament.
Puerto Rican team controllled the game right from the start as they surprised Mexican team 31:11 in the first quarter. The things just got worse for Mexico in the second frame as they were outscored 38:26 to trail by as many as 32 points at halftime 37:69. Puerto Rico had only to ease to an overall victory and they successfully fulfilled the task.
Raymond Cortes was unstoppable for the home side as he poured in 28 points. Mexica were paced by 15 points from Juan P
