After yesterday’s opening day games in Centro Basket 2011 at the “Centro Olimpico Deportivo Mexicano” in Mexico City, Belize is presently ranked at #3 among the 6 teams competing for the 2 spots in the upcoming FIBA Americas tournament later this month. Belize clipped Costa Rica, 71-70, yesterday, while Puerto Rico crushed Guatemala, 125-28, and Mexico mauled El Salvador, 117-37. There is no “ease” in this tournament for weaker teams, because the standings are determined not only by the number of victories, but also by the point differentials. Thus, Puerto Rico, who won their first game by 97 points (125-28) is presently ranked at #1, above Mexico at #2 whose margin of victory in their game 1 was smaller at 80 points (117-37). Costa Rica is ranked #4 behind Belize, El Salvador is at #5, and Guatemala #6. Today, Belize faces Puerto Rico, El Salvador meets Costa Rica, and Guatemala collides with Mexico. Mexico and Puerto Rico are the clear favorites to emerge on top from this tournament.
In yesterday’s game, Brian White led Belize with 23 pts 10 rebs 3 assts, along with Tariq Middleton 11 pts 3 stls, and Daniel Sanchez 10 pts 3 rebs. For Costa Rica, Milton Barrantes had 27 pts 6 rebs 4 stls, Adrian Cordoba pts, and Carlos Esquivel 11 pts.
One observation from the box scores is that the Belize game is well balanced in terms of the sharing of minutes on the floor, with each player seeing at least 10 minutes of action, and only one player, Brian White, seeing as much as 30 minutes of action. With five consecutive days of competition, the Belize coaching staff, led by Matthew Smiling, and assisted by Fred Gabourel and Fred Garcia, are obviously strategizing to avoid fatigue down the stretch in the tournament.
4:00 p.m. FLASH – Belize earns respect from Puerto Rico
The numbers tell the story, and though Belize lost a short while ago to Puerto Rico, it was no “walk in the park” for the highly rated Puerto Ricans, who won 108-80, after jumping out to an early 1st quarter lead of 32-12. At the half, Puerto Rico led 59-30, as they again out-scored Belize 27-18 in the second quarter. But in the third quarter, Belize actually out-scored the great Puerto Rico, 23-19, so that at the end of three, the score was 78-53. The 4th quarter was a battle, with Puerto Rico getting the 30-27 edge, and winning by the final score of 108-80. Top scorers for Belize were Tree-vanne Moses 28 pts, Tariq Middleton 15 pts and Kyle Middleton 9 pts.
Belize plays Mexico tomorrow, Guatemala on Saturday, and El Salvador on Sunday.
Latest reports are also that Costa Rica beat El Salvador 79-51 this afternoon.