Mexico and Puerto Rico advancing into battle for gold medal

5-6 Place

Cuba - U.S. Virgin Islands 70-95
This was important game to win even if it's battle for 5th place, but U.S. Virgin Islands win this game by 25 margin and took number five position on this tournament and with this win they qualifies to Division A in World Cup qualifiers in 2019. First two quarters was close game but, as Virgin Islands go on half time break with 8 point lead but then they start to plying in fifth gear and ended up game with big lead of 25 points. Most efficient was Walter Hodge (183-PG-86, college: Florida) with 19 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds for total index of 26. Angel Rivera (173-PG-95) had nice game also with 16 points, 5 rebounds and same amount of assists. In losing team Yasser Rodriguez (187-PG-88) had his night with 21 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds.

7-8 Place

Nicaragua - Bahamas 77-120
It was pretty efficient game for Bahamas as they scored 120 points and they have eight players with double digit record alongside their name as they all scored more then 10 points. Best in Bahamas was J.R. Cadot with 18 points and 5 rebounds, he was followed by Leon Cooper Jr. with 16 points and 6 rebounds and Travis Munnings (198-F-94) with same amount of points and rebounds. In Nicaragua Thomas Vansdell (179-G-86, agency: Aspire Sports)l scored 29 points while Roger Munoz (208-C-84) had 14 rebounds and he added to his name 12 points on this game. With this victory Bahamas ended up on 7th position on this Centrobasket.

Semifinals

Dominican Republic - Puerto Rico 69-74
Close game but Puerto Rico ended as a winning side on this semifinal. Dominican Republic opened the game with a lot of energy and passion, they won first quarter by 7 points (25:18) and they remaining with lead after 20 minutes was finished but then Puerto Rico started playing really well, they just played perfectly third quarter, won it by 9 and take the lead of the game. In fourth quarter they won it again, this time with 2 points (21:19) and ended the match with 5 point victory for another final at Centrobasket. Angel Daniel Vassallo (198-G/F-86, college: Virginia Tech) sore 18 point, Renaldo Balkman (203-F-84, college: S.Carolina) had 11 points and 8 rebounds while in Dominican Republic Eloy Vargas (211-C-88, college: Kentucky) had 18 points with 6 rebounds. This will be second final in the row for Puerto Rico, last year they lost it again Mexico and this year final will be with same teams in there as Mexico also won their semifinal game. So we will have reply from 2014. We will see how will better in 2016.

Panama - Mexico 52-59
Second time in a row, Mexico manage to win semifinal game and goes into battle for title at Centrobasket. Last year they did make it to very end and won this tournament now they will have chance to won it again. It was not efficient game but it was surely intense and fun to watch. At the end we can say that third quarter decided who will go into game for the gold medal. This 10 minutes Mexico was better and won it by 7 (18:11), that was difference on the end of the game as it was ended with 59:52 result for Mexico. Jorge Gutierrez (190-G-88, college: California), from NBA (Charlote Hornets) was best player with 15 points, and never the less important of this big victory for Mexicans was Lorenzo Mata (205-C-86, agency: Pro Sports) with 13 points and 11 rebounds. For Panama Geno Luzcando (190-G-95) scored 18 points and Michael Hicks (196-F-76, college: Texas A&M-CC) scored 13. That was not enough to beat Mexico in this game.