Puerto Rico and Mexico to play for Centrobasket gold
Puerto Rico will take on defending champions Mexico in the FIBA Centrobasket final.
Puerto Rico will face Mexico in the FIBA Centrobasket final after a hard-fought 74-69 semi-final win over the Dominican Republic.
Dubbed the 'Caribbean Clasico', the historic rivalry got a new chapter as the Puerto Ricans prevailed in a topsy-turvy game.
The Dominican Republic built a 10-point lead in the first half, but a 22-13 run to close out the third quarter was enough to see Puerto Rico over the line, with Dallas Mavericks man J.J. Barea putting in a decisive final three minutes.
Defending champions Mexico await after seeing off hosts Panama in a 59-52 thriller.
The two sides exchanged the lead on numerous occasions, but the Mexicans won the day with an 18-11 third quarter proving decisive ahead of a tight final period.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Virgin Islands earned fifth spot at the tournament and their place in the Division A World Cup qualifiers by defeating Cuba 95-70, while Bahamas beat Nicaragua 120-77 to seal seventh spot.