POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Carmen Guzman
Group A
Puerto Rico - Mexico 88-43
Puerto Rico destroyed Mexico 88-43 in the last day of the Preliminary Round at 2012 Centrobasket in Morovis. The host of this event is the winner of Group A with perfect 3-0 record. Mexico also advanced to the Semifinals, but as No.2 with 2-1 score. Esmary Vargas-Sanchez (192-C-81, college: Emporia St.) and Deanna Ortiz (177-G) stepped up for the hosts with 14 points each. Jazmine Sepulveda (186-G-85, agency: Merit Sports, college: S.Florida) had another great game adding 12 points, 8 boards and 5 assists. In Mexico, Abril Garcia (188-F/C-80, college: ORU) netted 10 points and was their only player with double digits. Nadia Bibbs (168-G/F-85) stopped to 7 pts and 7 boards, while Maylene Ornelas (166-PG-87, college: S.Idaho JC) had 6 points and same numbers of rebs. Puerto Rico was 11 points up at the half time and totally took control on its rival after that. Jazmine Sepulveda and her teammates exploded in Q3 with 28-10 and continued in the same rhythm for rest of the game (23-7) celebrating huge 88-43 win at the end. In the Semifinals, Puerto Rico will play against Dominican Republic, while Mexico will take on Cuba. Both games will be played today. It is important to mention that Puerto Rico and Mexico booked a spot for the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship.
Jamaica - El Salvador 64-53
Jamaica avoided last place in Preliminary Group A of the 2012 Centrobasket in Morovis. They outplayed El Salvador 64-53 to finish as third ranked team in this pool with 1-2 record. El Salvador has poor 0-3 and both teams failed to reach the Semifinals. They will continue in Classification Round from 5th-8th place. Shenneika Smith (185-G) led the winners with 17 points and Sasha Dixon (167-G-87) helped with 11 pts. Angelee LaTouche (187-F/C-85) was Jamaica's last player in double digits with 10 points. At the other side, Veronica Sosa (173-SG-90) answered with 13 points in defeat. Mirna Simon (168-SF-82) and Monica Calderon (175-SF-91) (6 rebs) delivered 11 and 9 points respectively. Jamaica made 14-point lead already in the first quarter and jumped to plus 21 until the halftime. El Salvador improved its game after the breather, but still Jamaica was able to keep the comfortable lead. Quarters: 18-4, 21-14, 7-17, 18-18. Today, Jamaica will play against Trinidad and Tobago in Classification Round. El Salvador will meet US Virgin Islands.
Group B
Dominican Republic - Trinidad and Tobago 77-50
Dominican Republic advanced to the Semifinals of 2012 Centrobasket in Morovis. They handed 77-50 loss to Trinidad and Tobago ending the Preliminary Round as No.2 of Group B with almost perfect 2-1 record. T&T is the last ranked team of this pool with 0-3 and will continue in Classification Round. Carmen Guzman (172-SG-85, agency: Merit Sports, college: UAB) (6 as) and Andreina Paniagua (183-F-78) led the winners with 13 points each. Charlenny Frias (170-G-84) followed them with 12 pts. At the other side, Adanna David (177-F) scored 12 points and Rhea Codio (165-G-88) had 9 pts, plus 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Shakira Clarke (182-C) had 7 points in this defeat. Dominican Republic won the first quarter 18-6, but T&T cut the margin to 8 pts until the halftime. However, that was all from T&T in this meeting as the entire second half totally belonged to Dominicans, who celebrated 27-point win at the end. Quarters: 18-6, 9-13, 29-18, 21-13. In the Semis, Dominican Republic will play against the defending champion Puerto Rico. T&T will meet Jamaica in the first game of the Classification Round. Dominican Republic already booked a spot for the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship.
Cuba - U.S. Virgin Islands 73-58
Cuba was too strong for the US Virgin Islands 73-58 in the last day of the Preliminary Round in Morovis. Cubans are the winners of Group B with perfect 3-0 record and they advanced to Semifinals. USVI finished as No.3 in this pool with 1-2 record and failed to reach the next stage. They will continue in Classification Round from 5th-8th place. Suchitel Avila (183-F-82) shined for the winners with 19 points and 6 rebounds. Leidys Oquendo (180-F-82) had 15 points and 6 rebounds, while Taimy Fernandez (183-F-82) helped her squad with 13 points. Natalie Day (182-G/F-90) responded with 19 points and 7 rebounds in defeat. Victoria Hamilton (177-G-91) (7 rebs) and Akkema Richards (172-SG) scored 12 and 10 pts respectively. Cuba had impressive first half and later had no troubles to keep the comfortable lead. Quarters: 22-12, 17-13, 18-14, 16-19. In the Semis, Cuba will play against Mexico. USVI will meet El Salvador in Classification Round. Both games will be played today. Cuba already booked a spot for the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship.
*Puerto Rico, Mexico, Cuba and Dominican Republic booked a spot for the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship (World qualifier).
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