Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Puerto Rico secure spot at the Semi-Finals

SAN JUAN (Puerto Rico) - The teams from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico qualified to the Centrobasket U17 Women’s Championship 2019 Semi-Finals after adding wins on Day 2 of the regional championship.

 
The Puerto Ricans imposed their fast game, moved the ball and were effective from long distance, to comfortably subdue the Bahamians, who had19% effectiveness from the field (70-13).

Nangely Garcia commanded the Boricua offense with 19 points and Julie Ruiz added 18 points and seven steals. For the Bahamas, Michell Butler was the most outstanding with 12 points and eight rebounds.

Puerto Rico ended the day with a total of 10 three-pointers, with four coming from the hands of Juneyla Figueroa.

In the other game of Group B, Guatemala was forceful against El Salvador and captured a 65-36 victory.

The Guatemalan squad took refuge in the offensive duo of Elisa Martínez and Natalie Larrañaga, who scored 22 and 18 points, respectively.

Martinez was very effective for a 9-5 from the field, including 3-3 in three-pointers, and also scored nine free throws in 10 attempts. While Larrañaga, captured 10 rebounds, stole six and had five assists.

For El Salvador, Silvia Vega summed 11 points with nine rebounds and Marcela Tejada added six points, with 15 rebounds.

For its part, in Group A, Mexico achieved its second victory by defeating Costa Rica, 70-51.

Mariana Valenzuela, with 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Abril Reyes with another 14 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, led the Mexican squad that set the tone of the match from the get-go.

The Mexicans dominated the boards, mainly on the offensive side, capturing 24 offensive rebounds and converting for 20 points in second chances.

Nicole Guevara, with nine points, was the best scorer of the "ticas".

Later, the Dominican Republic did the same and secured a place among the top-four teams, by defeating Barbados, 82-33.

The troop of Quisqueya did not have any type of inconvenience and was superior to the rival in all the aspects. In the third quarter, the team created a 31-2 run that secured the victory.

A total of five players achieved double digits for the Dominican Republic. Marlin Linarez, Cesarina Capellán, Chelsy Santana and Ashley Báez, summed 11 units each. For Barbados, Zahra Ashby scored 16 points.

This Tuesday, on the last day of the Group Phase, Barbados will face Costa Rica, Bahamas and Guatemala will play for the last spot available in the Semi-Finals, the Dominican Republic and Mexico will play for the top of Group A and Puerto Rico will face El Salvador.

FIBA