Results and Stats from Day 1 in Panama City

Group A

Panama - Antigua 103-48
Panama cruised past Antigua in the Centrobasket opener. Tony Bishop (201-F-89, college: Texas St., agency: Inception Sports) stepped off the bench to nail 17 points for the hosts. Panama dominated right from the tip off. They went on a convincing 48:18 first half rally to clear off. Panama unloaded 55 points in the second half to coast to the victory. Edward Jones (201-F-86, college: N.Carolina A&T) chipped in 13 points for the winners. Joel McIntosh (201-C-90, college: La Roche, agency: Aspire Sports) responded with 11 points for Antigua.

Nicaragua - Cuba 50-98
Cuba got to a confident start of their Centrobasket campaign. They rallied past Nicaragua in Group A opener. Javier Justiz (205-C-92, agency: Pro Sports) posted 18 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Cuba rolled to a 55:29 halftime lead. Cuba held their opponents to just 8 points in the third term to secure a massive 38-point lead. They never looked back en route to the victory. Osmel Olive produced 14 points for the winners. Romario Ponce (180-PG-95) responded with 13 points for Nicaragua.

Group B

Costa Rica - Dominican Republic 58-80
Dominican Republic experienced little problems en route to the opening victory in Panama City. They stormed past Costa Rica in Group B. Eloy Vargas (211-C-88, college: Kentucky) and Rigoberto Mendoza (190-G-92) tossed in 15 points each for the winners. Dominican Republic ensured an 18:7 lead after ten minutes. They went on a 23:10 rally in the third term to pile up a 23-point advantage at the final intermission. Costa Rica dropped 24 points in the fourth quarter but could not avoid the loss. Juan Garcia tossed in 13 points for the winners. Marcos Castrillo (201-F, college: W.New Mexico) topscored with 15 points for Costa Rica.

U.S. Virgin Islands - Bahamas 82-74
US Virgin Islands secured the winning start to Group B campaign. They held off Bahamas behind 18 points from Khalid Hart (198-SF-95). US Virgin Islands jumped to a 21:10 lead after the opening frame. Bahamas narrowed the gap in the second term. They pulled within 8 points at the interval 27:35. US Virgin Islands dropped 26 points in the third term to regain an 11-point advantage. Bahamas sank 24 points in the fourth stanza but could not avoid the defeat. Justin Gray (188-G-84, college: Wake Forest) tossed in 16 points for the winners. DeAndre Ayton (213-C-98) answered with 16 points and 11 rebounds for Bahamas.