POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Ebube Ezegwula
Group A
Mexico - Dominican Republic 53-73
Dominican Republic opened their U17 Centrobasket campaign in Puerto Rico with victory. They knocked down Mexican counterparts in the opening game in Group B. Jeromy Rodriguez (198-PF-96) stepped up with 17 points and 10 rebounds to pace Dominican Republic. Mexico got to a slightly better start. They eked out a 16:13 lead after ten minutes. But Dominican Republic bounced back in the second frame. They held Mexico to just 4 points in the period and raced to a 29:20 halftime lead. Dominican Republic unloaded 29 points in the third term and registered a 20-point lead before the fourth frame. They held Mexico at distance in the fourth frame cruising to the victory. Yerri Flores (188-PG-96) notched 11 points, while Andres Feliz, Jhonatan Araujo and Daniel Vitiello had 8 points each for the winners. Raul Olalde (PF-96) answered with 11 points for Mexico. Alvaro Mendoza chipped in 10 points in the loss.
British Virgin Islands - El Salvador 71-75
EL Salvador victoriously opened their U17 Centrobasket campaign. They defeated British Virgin Islands in Group B. Leonardo Hernandez (177-SG-97) stepped up with 31 points to pace the effort. El Salvador grabbed an 18:16 lead after ten minutes of action. They stretched the gap in the second frame. El Salvador accumulated a 42:32 halftime lead. British Virgin Islands cut the deficit in the third term. They got within 8 points at the final break. The Islanders got even closer in the fourth period but came up short of victory at the end. Rene Alas (186-PF-97) had 14 points and 12 boards, while Rodrigo Gutierrez added 13 points and 10 rebounds for El Salvador. Franklyn Penn (185-PG-97) answered with 15 points for British Virgin Islands. Terique Wattley had 14 points in the loss.
Group B
Bahamas - U.S. Virgin Islands 68-64
Bahamas recorded the first win at the U17 Centrobasket in Puerto Rico. They knocked down US Virgin Islands in the opener. Rashad Davis (185-SF-97) dropped 20 points to lead the charge. Bahamas had to recover after a slow start. Virgin Islands dominated in the first half. They registered a 17:11 lead after ten minutes. Virgin Islands stretched the gap at 12-point mark at halftime 39:27. But Bahamas slowly took over. They held their opponents to 10 points in the third period and narrowed the distance to just 3 points at the final intermission. Bahamas went on a 22:15 run in the fourth frame to snatch victory. Qyemah Gibson (198-SF-97) dropped 12 points, while Shakwon Lewis added 11 points in the victory. Rashawn Fredericks (195-SF-97) responded with 17 points for US Virgin Islands. Stephaun Adams had 11 points in the loss.
Costa Rica - Puerto Rico 49-96
Puerto Rico got to a flying start of their U17 Centrobasket campaign. They fired past Costa Rica to gain the initial win in Group A. The hosts were led by 16 points from Jerron Love (175-PG-96). Puerto Rico set the tone early in the encounter. They triggered a 23:8 run in the first frame. Puerto Rico increased the tempo in the second quarter. They unleashed 26 points and registered a 49:27 halftime lead. Puerto Rico held their opponents to 10 points in the third term and accumulated a 29-point advantage before the fourth period. The hosts never looked back coasting to the victory at the end. Ebube Ezegwula (200-PF-97) produced 12 points, while Israel Cruz and Alex Ramos added 11 points each in the win. Miguel Pearson (178-PF-96) responded with 18 points for Costa Rica. Daniel Shedden banked 13 points in the defeat.
