FIBA Americas - Centroamerican and Caribbean games

CARTAGENA (CAC Games) - Six teams are in Cartagena with great hopes to win the Gold Medal of the Centro American and Caribbean Games, this games will be a remake of the last Centrobasket, 5 of the first 6 teams in the Centrobasket are currently in Cartagena ready to play, this teams and Colombia the host Nation are ready to start:

Colombia, after finished fifth in the South American Championship came to this tournament in a better level and rising his stock, once again Stalin Ortiz (6'3" G-Valpo) and Edgar Moreno (6'3" G- UTEP) will lead the team, coached for this games by Guillermo Moreno and with Tomas Diaz as his assistant.

Panama the Champion of the Centrobasket arrives with a strong roster coached for well known Guillermo Vecchio despite the absences of Cota and Garces, but still Scavolini's guard Michael Hicks and Forward Jaime Lloreda from Canguros can run a very good team.

Puerto Rico brings young talent leaded by players like Elias "Buster" Figueroa and Carmelo Antrone Lee, but also will be nice to see young talent like Jose Juan Barea who was playing with good performance in NBA's summer teams, Barea is dealing a contract with Mavs or Warriors in the NBA., also "Pirulo" Colon is on the team.

Dominican Republic comes strong, Jack Martinez is on his best level and will bring power in the paint for the Dominicans, but also Franklin Western, Otto Vantroy and Ivan Almonte will make a solid team.

Cuba leaded for one the best talents in the Caribe, the versatile forward Geoffrey "El Gato" Silvestre, and with the help of the bets Cuban player like Center Joan Luis Haiti and guard Andy Bofill will be a contender for all the teams.

Mexico after finish fourth in the Centrobasket the team came trying to get a Medal, with his best roster including veteran ex NBA Horacio Llamas and Castellanos.

Men Basketball in the CAC Games, results Day 1.

Panama defeated Dominican Republic in the opener, the Panamanians were leaded by forward Jaime Lloreda (6'8" F LSU) with 21 pts + 9 rebs, Michel Hicks (6'4" G- Texas A&M) added 14, for the Dominicans Naco's forward Marlon Orasmin Martinez well known in Colombia scored 14pts.
Panama 84
Dominican Republic 74

Puerto Rico beat Mexico by 22 points, Bayamon wing Alejandro Carmona and Carmelo Antrone Lee leaded the way with 18 pts each, but get help from "Buster" Figueroa with 16 pts and 11 rebounds.
Jorge Rochin (6'8" F- Portland) with 19 Pts and Omar Castellanos were the best Mexican Performers
Puerto Rico 100
Mexico 78

Cuba defeated Colombia in the first game of the Colombians in the CAC Games, Colombian team played good defense for most of the game, but failed in the free throws lines putting in just 28 of 46, and making easy the defense for the Cubans, Geoffrey Silvestre (6'7" F) showed his skills and leaded all the scores putting 35 points for the Cubans he got help from Joan Luis Haiti with 11 points and 9 rebounds, in Colombia Stalin Ortiz scored 23 Pts and 2 rebounds, Edgar Moreno added 16 points plus 5 assits and 8 steals, Ricardo Sanz added 14 ponts but made 4 turnovers.

Colombia had a good defensive reaction and was just 3 points behind with 33 points left but a free throw from Boffil, and an offensive rebound and lay-up of Haiti gives to the Cubans a final gap of 7 points.
Cuba 90
Colombia 83

Victor Garcia
FIBA Correspondent in Colombia