Overview of Day 1 in Santo Domingo

Group A

Mexico - Puerto Rico 53-67
Puerto Rico knocked down Mexico in the opening game in Group A. Jeriel Zayas (185-G-00) provided 15 points for the winners. Mexico jumped to a 16:11 lead after ten minutes. Puerto Rico stepped on the gas in the next quarters. They built an 11-point lead heading into the fourth term. Puerto Rico limited Mexico to just 12 points in the final stanza and rallied to the win. Jorge Torres had 14 points and 17 rebounds for Puerto Rico. Javier Gonzalez (190-F-00) netted 14 points for Mexico.

Guyana - Bahamas 63-114
Bahamas outscored Guyana in the opener. Dominick Bridgewater (180-PG-00) posted 27 points and 8 steals to lead the winners. Bahamas unleashed 73 points in the first half to establish a massive 52-point halftime lead. Guyana slowed their opponents down in the second half but could not avoid the loss. Grevaughn Goodman (182-SG-00) delivered 23 points for Bahamas. Kevon Wiggins (182-PG-00) replied with 32 points for Guyana.

Group B

Panama - Dominican Republic 55-59
Dominican Republic held off Panama at the start of the championship. The hosts got 16 points and 11 boards from Alanzo Frink (203-F-00). Dominican Republic grabbed a 17:6 lead ten minutes into the game. Panama went on a 17:8 run in the second stanza to pull within two points. Panama got as close as one point at the final intermission. But Dominican Republic held their opponents to just 12 points in the fourth stanza and got away with a narrow win. Rafael Rubel (177-F-00) provided 13 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side. Ricardo Lindo (200-F-00) produced 20 points and 10 rebounds for Panama.

U.S. Virgin Islands - Jamaica 69-61
Virgin Islands outgunned Jamaica to open win count in Group B. Jaz Farrell (190-G-00) delivered 19 points to lead the effort. Virgin Islands used a 23:10 run in the second frame to open a 42:28 halftime advantage. Jamaica narrowed the deficit in the second half but came up short at the end. Zion Jones (187-G-00) provided 16 points in the victory. Samora Williams (187-G-00) responded with 16 points for Jamaica.