Centrobasket 12 - Panamá advances to the semifinals

 

San Juan, Puerto Rico - The Panamá’s national team (3-1) advances to the second round of the Centrobasket 2012 and qualifies to FIBA Americas Championship 2013 with a 94-66 victory over Cuba (1-3) in game held in José Miguel Agrelot coliseum in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico.

With the Panamá's victory, where no three-way tie for both Cuba and the Bahamas hasn't possibility of advancing to the medal round.

The game stayed matched during the first 28 minutes, with 13 lead changes until Ernesto Oglivie scored four points in an 8-0 rally that took off from Panamá 66-56, at the end of the third period.

Josimar Ayarza with a three-point play completed another 8-0 run of winners, to increase the lead to 84-61 with 4:44 of the last period. Derrick Bolaños gave the biggest lead, 92-63, with 1:24 remaining to play.

Ayarza led with 23 points and Oglivie and Daniel King added 14 each one, Bolaños and Isaac St. Rose 12 each one. For Cuba, Yoan Haití led with 19 points, Oreste Torres followed with 14, Yoannis Soria added 13 and Lisvan Valdez 10.

Panamá will play tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. (local time) against the Dominican Republic.

Jeanc Rodríguez / FIBA Américas
FOTO: PRenCancha