Mexico claim Centrobasket U17 2019 title in San Juan

SAN JUAN (Puerto Rico) - Mexico earned the Gold Medal of the Centrobasket U17 Championship 2019, for the first time in history, with a 65-60 win over Puerto Rico.

 
Mexico’s defense in the last quarter limited the Boricuas to only 12 points in that period. A free throw by José Luis Yebra, with 16 seconds left, put Mexico in the lead by 64-60 and sentenced the game for the Mexican squad. Puerto Rico kept fighting, but Mexico secured the win and the top spot at the podium.

Bonilla was the great figure with a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds and was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament by averaging 14.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 3.0 steals and 2.4 blocks.

For Puerto Rico, Walker led the offense with 18 points and Rafael Pinzón contributed 13.

In the game for the bronze medal, Bahamas defeated the Dominican Republic, 85-83, and took the last ticket available to the FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2020.

A put-back basket from Romad Dean gave the Bahamas the lead with six seconds left. On the final possession of the game, a three-pointer from Jean Montero did not materialize, and the Bahamas celebrated.

Albury was the most prominent player for the Bahamas with 28 points.

In the Reclassification Round, Panama surpassed the Virgin Islands, 76-75, and finished fifth. For its part, Joshua Minott scored 29 points, including the last-second double that gave Jamaica the victory over El Salvador, 65-63.

Final Positions:
1. Mexico *
2. Puerto Rico *
3. Bahamas *
4. Dominican Republic
5. Panama
6. Virgin Islands
7. Jamaica
8. El Salvador
* Qualified to the FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2020.

FIBA